Paul Gallen has found the perfect preparation for his crossover blockbuster against Nelson Asofa-Solomona – hiring a monstrous Sydney sparring partner who no less than Johnny Lewis has labelled the nation’s “next big thing”.
As part of his tilt to become the first man to topple ‘Big Nasty’, Gallen is set to complete four separate sparring sessions against hyped Australian super heavyweight prospect Ibrahim ‘Ibby’ Mohammed – a fighter who weighs almost 140kg and stands 208cm tall.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
Despite still being only 20, the promising amateur is already seven centimetres taller than Asofa-Solomona.
He is also bigger than even British megastar Tyson Fury by two centimetres.
In fact, so quickly did Mohammed grow at one point in his teens, the youngster required surgery on his hips.
Importantly, the Sydneysider also boasts several similar traits to Asofa-Solomona – including a devastating right uppercut – and is currently being helped along by Australia’s most famous fight coach, Lewis.
So impressed has the Hall of Fame trainer been with Mohammed’s potential, he has now agreed to be part of his push towards selection at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles before then turning pro.
Yet first, the youngster is readying Gallen for his shock return to the sport.
Paul Gallen with 208cm, almost-140kg prospect Ibby Mohammed.Source: FOX SPORTS
Despite having effectively retired from the ring twice already, the Cronulla premiership hero is now returning, aged 45, as part of his bid to end the career of No Limit’s newest crossover poster boy.
It will be Gallen’s first fight back since beating Sonny Bill Williams in July last year.
The now NRL analyst also boasts famed upset wins against both UFC heavyweight great Mark Hunt and former heavyweight champion, Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne.
Yet in his upcoming showdown against NAS, the man dubbed ‘G-Train’ will be giving up 22cm in height, and as much as 35kg.
Enter Mohammed.
After sparring the towering Olympic hopeful for the first time last week, Gallen has now booked in another three sessions with the youngster who has been studying Asofa-Solomona’s movements in a bid to then replicate them in sparring.
All of their workouts are scheduled for eight rounds.
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Given everything Gallen is conceding in age, height and weight against his unbeaten rival, the NSW Origin great has been listed as a $2.15 betting outsider for the November 6 crossover headliner in Sydney.
NAS, meanwhile, is $1.68.
Yet speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Mohammed’s trainer Henry Lau stressed his young charge will ensure Gallen is more than ready for Asofa-Solomona by the time their fight rolls around in less than three weeks.
“Ibby is the closest thing Gal can get to replicating a fight with Nelson,” Lau said.
“He’s actually taller, stands 6’10’’.
“He also weighs 139 kilos.
“Right now he’s training for nationals and we’re hoping for the Olympics, then a pro career.
“We’ve already sparred Gal once and will now do three more sessions – two this week, and one more next week.”
Ibby Mohammed, with trainer Henry Lau, is a terrifying prospect.Source: Supplied
Soon after, the trainer continued: “Ibby came to my gym at the age of 16, shortly after dropping out of school, and he’s been training fulltime ever since.
“When we started training he was 6’6’’.
“But he’s kept growing and, most recently, in the space of about two years of doing this properly, has won State titles twice, won King of the Ring twice and then went up to Queensland and won Golden Gloves.
“He’s got absurd reach and one of the hardest jabs to deal with.
“His boxing IQ is also incredibly good.
“Johnny Lewis has offered us his help and really believes Ibby is the next best thing in boxing.”
While Gallen may be a betting outsider against NAS, the retired NRL star has already promised to end his towering rival’s new career.
Speaking during a Face Off interview with Asofa-Solomona last week, Gallen suggested he was unimpressed with the career start of the Melbourne Storm premiership hero – who has made quick work of Jeremy Latimore, Jarrod Wallace and George Burgess.
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“You’re big, strong and powerful,” Gallen said at one point. “But you’re a f***ing cat deep down.
“Deep down, you know you are. I’m going to prove it and expose you.
“I’ve seen it in rugby league and it doesn’t change. It’s in you as a person.”
Gallen also stressed he had “no doubt” he will beat his much younger rival.
“I don’t think he’s as tough as people think,” Gallen continued of NAS soon after. “I played rugby league against him. He was good. He came off the bench. He was a good player for 10 or 15 minutes.
“But at the end of the day, when I am constantly pressuring him, I don’t think he’s going to handle it. He hasn’t faced anyone like that.”
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Gallen also accused Asofa-Solomona of quitting the NRL when the game became too fast.
“I moved on,” Asofa-Solomona replied.
“No, you quit. You f***ing quit,” Gallen shot back. “Once you’ve got quit in you once, you can’t get rid of it.”
When pushed on his own client’s work with Gallen meanwhile, Lau talked up the sparring sessions.
“Nelson has a good uppercut and so does Ibby,” he said.
“Given he is always the bigger fighter, opponents try to get down and go under his guard.
“Ibby’s overhand is also strong, his right hook. Same as Nelson.
“We’ve also done a lot of film study (on NAS) and then looked to replicate that. Make sure Gal can get the most out of the rounds we do.
“But obviously I won’t give too much away.”