Nikita Tszyu has given his prediction for Paul Gallen’s hyped Australian crossover farewell, and after spending time working alongside the NSW Origin great in his last ever camp.
On the eve of this Friday’s Sydney showdown between Gal and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tszyu has heaped praise on the longtime Shire favourite’s ability to continue surprising rivals with his unrelenting pressure.
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.
Yet that statement comes as popular Australian heavyweight Kris Terzievski — who beat Gal for the national heavyweight crown four years ago — has also warned how that same fight style could see the Cronulla premiership hero entering “real dangerous territory”.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, No Limit boss George Rose also praised the powerful hands of his newest heavyweight signing, while also defending against accusations he is secretly hoping Asofa-Solomona’s brief career comes to end at the hands of Gallen.
Rose warned that if NAS lands his signature uppercut inside Tik Tok Arena on fight night: “Gal’s going out”.
In what shapes as the Final Walk of his lucrative crossover career, Gallen will be looking to take one final upset scalp against NAS — and just as he has previously done against the likes of Lucas Browne, Mark Hunt and Sonny Bill Williams.
And as part of preparations, Gallen has spent time training alongside ‘The Butcher’, who is himself readying for a US debut in December and shares the same popular Sydney gym, Doyle’s Boxing Club.
MORE GAL vs NAS NEWS
‘F***ing embarrassing’: Gallen’s brutal sledge over Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s infamous Bali brawl
‘That’s it’: NAS’ explosive drugs taunt as stunning stakes in Gallen fight revealed
“If I lose, that’s it”: NAS’ HUGE stakes | 09:14
The pair have also worked out together and done some touch sparring.
Asked for a prediction this week, Tszyu said: “Look, I know Gal hasn’t fought in a while, but he’s a real workhorse, always gets himself ready and has been training for a while now for this one.
“And while I think Nelson is actually quite crafty, he hasn’t fought anyone that brings the kind of ferocity that Gal does.
“So there’s definitely a chance Gallen could just overwhelm him.
“Especially if he [NAS] isn’t able to keep him at distance, isn’t able to control him out there, Gal should be able to disrupt things on the inside.
“Because while Gallen isn’t the most skillful fighter, he’s awkward, he’s tough and he’s strong.
“And that’s the difficulty you have when fighting him.
“There still an unexpectedness to all that, and it could really throw Nelson off.”
Terzievski, meanwhile, has delivered a warning for his old rival.
Back in 2022, the Melbourne heavyweight earned a strong decision win over Gallen for the Australian title – and a year after Justis Huni had done the same via late stoppage.
“So now I’m interested to see how much Gal has left,” he said.
“Because walking up to Nelson, trying to put on forward pressure, that’s entering real dangerous territory.
‘I recommend he jumps on something!’ | 05:38
“And I can definitely see NAS catching him with that big uppercut and putting Gal out.”
Which isn’t to say he rules Gallen out completely.
“I can also see Gal overwhelming Nelson come rounds four and five,” he continued.
“He just has to get it there.
“So then the question becomes ‘what is his motivation?’.
“Gal has always said he’s in boxing for money. So for this one final camp, has he still been in the trenches? Has he still been preparing as hard as when he fought guys like myself and Justis Huni?
“And again, at 45 how much does Gal have left?
“But if he survives that early onslaught against Nelson, who at 140kg … well, that’s a lot of weight to be moving around in there, throwing big heavy punches.
“Being such a monster, Nelson could be in there trying to throw massive punches and knock Gal out.
“It means Nelson’s greatest strength could also be his biggest disadvantage.”
Terzievski said Asofa-Solomona would also have to avoid playing into Gallen’s war of words.
“I don’t know if Gal’s getting in his head or not,” he continued. “But I do know it will be up to Nelson to control his emotions, and control the moment once he gets into the ring.
“Because being so green, the big question will be if he is able to control the nerves? If he is able to handle the pressure?”
Elsewhere, Rose has laughed off Gallen’s suggestion that he and the No Limit team are secretly hoping Asofa-Solomona’s career is ended on Friday night.
“Mate, I just want to see who the best is,” he stressed. “That’s all I want to see.
“Right now, Gal still looks like he’s the grouse.
“Has still got that good rig.
Gallen v NAS: Grand Arrivals Face-Off | 01:54
“So I want him to get in there and show Australia if he really is still the best crossover fighter, or if Big Nasty is now the block’s new king.
“Let’s get them in the ring and find out.”
Earlier in the year, Rose suggested that NAS would be too much for the NSW Origin great … but does he still feel as confident?
“Six foot seven, and 130 kilos,” Rose cackled of the former Melbourne Stormer.
“I mean, look at that uppercut he landed on Jeremy Latimore.
“That uppercut lands on Gal, Gal’s going out.
“If that uppercut lands on any heavyweight, they’re going out.
“That’s the power Nelson has got.
“He’s got that one-punch power that can change everything.
“And we know Gal has got a motor. And will probably believe that he can outwork Nelson.
“But Nelson has a decent motor on him as well.
“And we haven’t seen a whole lot of Gal over the last few years, so anything can happen. Only time will tell.”