Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s NRL premiership career has been seriously questioned during an intense Face Off with Jarrod Wallace, who accused the 130kg enforcer of avoiding the middle to “run out wide … run at the halves”.
The declaration came amid in an entertaining back-and-forth involving journeyman sledges, cage fight suggestions, even that retired Queensland Origin prop Wallace will be dealing with “trauma” from the opening punch of their Easter Sunday showdown.
Elsewhere, Asofa-Solomona also questioned if Wallace or anyone else in the crossover heavyweight space is capable of taking him beyond a handful of rounds, declaring: “My last opponent said he’d take me to deep waters… we didn’t even make it off the beach”.
Tszyu vs Nurja | Sunday 5 April from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu looks to continue his boxing resurgence as he takes on Albanian Denis Nurja. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
NAS issues chilling warning to Wallace | 10:33
After sensationally quitting the Melbourne Storm late last year to box, 30-year-old ‘NAS’ is now looking to secure his crown as the new king of Australia’s crossover boxing space.
Already, there is talk of the former Stormer taking on George Burgess, and as soon as next month, then North Queensland prop Matthew Lodge – with the eventual goal being a showdown with NSW Origin great Paul Gallen.
Yet before all that, the fighter dubbed Big Nasty will first look to secure another highlight reel finish on undercard of Tim Tszyu’s April 5 headliner against Denis Nurja.
Back in January, Asofa-Solomona needed less than a round to stop Jeremy Latimore in his professional debut.
And now for his second outing for Australian promoters No Limit, the professional new crossover star is looking to double down in a rematch with Wallace – who he has already fought, and finished, in a 2023 exhibition bout.
Yet while squaring off across the table from Wallace this week, Asofa-Solomona has had his love of a scrap questioned.
And it came when Wallace was asked by Main Event host Ben Damon for a take on his rival’s league career, which included over 200 NRL games, 16 Tests and a couple of Storm premiership wins.
“I think there’s always [been] questions about it,” Wallace replied.
“The big fella used to run out wide. Run out at the halves …”
Regardless, the man who himself racked up over 200 games and six Origins quickly stressed he still boasted plenty of respect for the man he has squared off against in both the ring and on a footy field.
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‘Didn’t even make it off the beach’ | 00:45
“The average career of an NRL player is 25 games, 30 games,” the former Brisbane and Gold Coast prop continued. “So you’ve got to respect the man.
“He won grand finals. Played 200-plus games.
“But [in boxing] he hasn’t been pushed into the deep waters yet. He reckons he can swim, we’ll see.”
Wallace also revealed he has dropped a staggering 16kg while readying for this fight, while also conceding he took their first encounter lightly for several reasons, including having his son in hospital.
“This time I’m nothing but boxing,” he said. “I’ve dropped 16 kilos in three weeks, which shows how hard I’ve been training.”
Asked if he felt respected coming into this fight, the Queensland underdog continued: “Dunno at the moment.
“But the respect will be there after the fight I can tell you that much.
“I’ve been there, felt his power and we’ve gone the rounds before.
“And if I can get him deeper in the rounds this time, the big fella hasn’t had to go there yet. Hasn’t had to go to those dark places of being hit and pushed.
“So if I can do that, it can be different to his last fight.”
To all of which NAS says what?
“Look, my last opponent said he would take me to deep waters,” the heavyweight shrugged. “We didn’t even make it off the beach …”
Tszyu vs Nurja | Sunday 5 April from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu looks to continue his boxing resurgence as he takes on Albanian Denis Nurja. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Tszyu opens up on Nurja preparations | 03:52
Asofa-Solomona also branded Wallace a journeyman before saying: “We can keep going back and forth, but you have to respect someone who steps on the field and steps into the ring … especially with someone like me.”
NAS also agreed with Damon’s take that Australian fight fans likely weren’t yet convinced he is the real deal.
“There are always doubts,” he said. “You always have to prove yourself over and over again. But one thing you can get wrong with me is tell me I can’t do something — I’ll prove you wrong.
“That’s been my whole career.
“From juniors all the way through to professional. Don’t tell me I won’t do something because I’ll do it.”
The new crossover star also declared himself ready for “another highlight reel” finish after his brutal first round KO of Jeremy Latimore on debut.
He also then reminded Wallace about winning via finish in their first fight against Wallace, and while wearing 18 ounce gloves.
On the Latimore performance, Wallace replied: “I’ve watched that last fight and it was pretty impressive what he did against Latsy.
“But I’m a different ball game, and he knows that.
“He knows my chin is tougher than Latsy’s.
“He knows I’ve got a concrete jaw.
“When we found last time, it was like a UFC fight. He was throwing me around the ring.
“He was 140-plus kilos.
“He’s dropped a bit more weight and I’ve been training hard.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s powerful. But if he underestimates me it’s a different ball game.”