Nelson Asofa-Solomona has turned his back on up to seven NRL clubs interested in his service, quitting the NRL to take up a full-time deal in boxing.<\/p>\n
News.com.au can exclusively reveal the NRL\u2019s biggest man has quit rugby league indefinitely to pursue his dream of becoming a heavyweight boxing champion. <\/p>\n
The 115kg enforcer has also become the first off-contract player to shun the mega bucks of R360 and also the riches on offer in the English Super League.<\/p>\n
The former Melbourne Storm forward has signed a full-time boxing deal and could earn up to $1m a year in his new sport.<\/p>\n
Plans are already underway for a rugby league super fight with another high profile NRL behemoth.<\/p>\n
Asofa-Solomona played 215 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm during his career, winning premierships in 2017 and 2020.<\/p>\n
The giant front rower missed the last two NRL grand finals through suspension before being let go early from his contract with the Storm.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old has shown plenty of boxing potential from his early foray into the ring. <\/p>\n
In 2023 Asofa-Solomona fought Jarrod Wallace, knocking out the former Dolphins prop in a three-round heavyweight fight.<\/p>\n
In professional men\u2019s boxing, anyone weighing over 90.7kg is classified as a heavyweight, so Asofa-Solomona would compete in that top weight class. <\/p>\n
The towering Kiwi also threw hands when he came to the defence of Suliasi Vunivalu when his friend and Storm teammate was coward punched in a Bali bar in 2019.<\/p>\n
Watch Nelson Asofa-Solomona\u2019s Bali brawl in the video above<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went to bar La Favela, we were having a good time like I said, there was an altercation with Suli I saw,\u201d Asofa-Solomona said at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that point in time I was in shock, I didn\u2019t know what to do, we all got ushered outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was by Suli\u2019s side, just aiding him, making sure he was OK, asking if he needed stitches and should we go back to the villa.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously things escalated between myself and a group of boys.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking back at that now, I think to myself, \u2018could have I went another way about it?\u2019 Yes I could. I could have picked up Suli and got out of there.<\/p>\n
\u201c[But] at that point in time I felt like I had to defend myself and my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two-time premiership winner often found himself on the sidelines in recent seasons, with his 200cm frame and tackling brutality getting him into strife with the NRL on countless occasions.<\/p>\n
Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith said Asofa-Solomona\u2019s suspensions during recent finals series would have been \u201chighly frustrating\u201d for coach Craig Bellamy. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe can change, it\u2019s a technique thing,\u201d Smith said on Nine\u2019s 100% Footy in September.<\/p>\n
\u201cNelson Asofa-Solomona is about seven foot tall, so it\u2019s pretty hard to get down.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut think back to 12 months ago, he missed the grand final because of a suspension – he got done for a shoulder charge on Lindsay Collins.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe in that grand final, if Nelson was a part of that game, I think Storm win.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a huge loss. If you get Nelson on his game, he\u2019s one of the best front-rowers in the game when he\u2019s got his head on and is playing well. He could really break a game open and he will be sorely missed this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would be highly frustrating for Craig Bellamy at the moment.\u201d <\/p>\n