He’s the 208cm tall Western Sydney giant with size 18 shoes and a lethal jab who has been recruited to help Paul Gallen prepare to fight Nelson Asofa-Solomona on November 6.

And, before their sparring session at Doyle Boxing Club in Sylvania on Tuesday, the 20-year-old had no idea about Gallen’s footy career.

Meet Ibby Mohammed.

The softly spoken slugger only picked up boxing a few years ago to lose weight, dropping from 173kg to around 130kg, and is a Golden Gloves champion.

And according to Gallen, the boxer with Maori, Samoan and Iranian heritage throws harder shots and better combinations than Asofa-Solomona.

But when asked about Gal’s legendary footy career, the rising star had to admit he was clueless.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t know too much about him,” Mohammed said after their session. “All I know is he’s a really good boxer and he works hard.

“The body shots were very effective, especially when he started changing levels. He has very good skill.”

With two-and-a-half weeks before the fight, Mohammed was drafted in to specifically help Gallen prepare for the 203cm tall ‘Big Nasty’.

So crucial was Tuesday morning’s sparring session, that media were locked out of the gym, and only given a glimpse of the training once they were warming down.

“He throws more controlled punches (than Asofa-Solomona) and he’s a very good amateur,” Gallen said. “When you’ve got that amateur pedigree, you throw shots well.

“You know the basics really well. You throw them straight, quick, short and he’s got that.

“Nelson’s a big guy, he’s powerful and he’s out there. If he lands a big shot, they’re gonna hurt, but he’s not going to be as skilful as (Mohammed).

“So if I can evade his punches, hopefully I can evade some of Nelson’s wild, big punches and not get caught.

“Let’s be honest, that’s what’s going to decide the fight. If Nelson catches me with something big, I’m in trouble.

“If he doesn’t, I’m boxing his ears off. I’ll outscore him easily, it’s just a matter of whether he can land that big shot.”

As for the young gun not knowing about his rugby league days, Gallen just laughs it off.

He’s had firsthand experience in that area recently.

“He’s only just turned 20, so he would’ve only been young when I retired,” Gallen told this masthead. “I can understand it.

“Here’s another one for ya.

“I took my son to watch Australia play the Kiwis the other day. He’s 15, loves his footy.

“Dale Finucane was there with Tim Brasher and Steve Menzies, but my son didn’t know who they were.

“That was a real eye-opener for me. I asked my missus, ‘Do you know Tim Brasher?’ and she said, ‘I used to love Tim Brasher.

“I said, ‘Kody didn’t know who he was!’ and she couldn’t believe it either.

“Dale was a Sharks player and Steve Menzies was my first ever roommate in an Origin camp, and my 15-year-old son didn’t know them.”

It was a perfect reminder about Gallen’s approach to this stage of life.

“That’s why I say, just go out there, have a crack in life, rip and tear,” he said. “If you succeed, the sky’s the limit, but with social media and everything, people forget, we’re all gonna die one day and people will forget you.

“Who gives a s***? Just go and have a crack and do the best and good things will come.

“Why are we so worried about tomorrow? Why are people so worried about what might happen and about what people might say?

“Who gives a f***?

“Just live your life, do that best you can and good things will happen.”