{"id":419164,"date":"2026-01-17T13:28:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T13:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/419164\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T13:28:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T13:28:14","slug":"fans-are-saying-the-same-thing-about-former-footy-star-nelson-asofa-solomonas-farcical-boxing-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/419164\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans are saying the same thing about former footy star Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s ‘farcical’ boxing debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JOSH ALSTON, SENIOR SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and DARREN WALTON FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS <\/p>\n

Footy fans and boxing purists have lashed the choice of opposition for former NRL<\/a>\u00a0 firebrand\u00a0Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s professional ring debut on Friday that barely lasted two minutes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nelson Asofa-Solomona wants to take out all-comers from the NRL ‘and go from there’ after making an explosive professional boxing debut against ex-rugby league journeyman Jeremy Latimore.<\/p>\n

The super-sized Asofa-Solomona knocked out Latimore with a massive uppercut just two minutes, 22 seconds into the first round of Friday night’s heavyweight stoush in Brisbane<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This fight went the way every person fought it would. <\/p>\n

Fair play to Jeremy Latimore stepping into the ring against the behemoth known as Nelson Asofa-Solomona but this was inevitable! <\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/VFcrDooYQE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) January 16, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Disillusioned after missing Melbourne’s past two grand final losses because of suspension, the two-time Storm premiership winner turned down a reported $800,000-a-season deal with Parramatta – one of Latimore’s five former clubs – to have a crack in the ring instead.<\/p>\n

‘You can’t get sent off in boxing,’ he famously said after announcing his NRL defection in November.<\/p>\n

Fighting on the undercard to Nikita Tszyu’s domestic blockbuster with Michael Zerafa, the so-called ‘Big Nasty’ proved an instant hit – even if he was not impressed himself.<\/p>\n

\"Nelson <\/p>\n

Nelson Asofa-Solomona made short work of\u00a0Jeremy Latimore, who retired from the NRL seven years ago\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Asofa-Solomona <\/p>\n

Asofa-Solomona wants to take on all challengers from the NRL ranks before expanding to the wider boxing world<\/p>\n

And fans were quick to question how big a statement Asofa Solomona made in his debut considering his opposition.<\/p>\n

‘What? By knocking out a 40 year old retired footy player who has never had a fight … get a grip,’ one posted.<\/p>\n

‘Belted a guy twice his age and half his size,’ said another.<\/p>\n

‘Let’s see how he goes against a half decent boxer not ex footy player … standing there doing nothing waiting for the big punch won’t do it,’ posted another.<\/p>\n

Another fan declared the fight to be ‘farcical as farcical can be’.<\/p>\n

The majority of boxing fans on social media have called on Asofa-Solomona to take on better opposition – and fighters beyond the NRL – to earn more credibility.<\/p>\n

‘Bro’ fight a real boxer Buddy’ aye not these celebrity gimmick fights. Fight someone in the top 25 heavyweights in the world,’ one fan posted in a challenge to the former NRL star.<\/p>\n

‘He knocked out Latts, no statement there haha. Any stay home dad could get off the lounge and do the same,’ posted another.<\/p>\n

\"Plenty <\/p>\n

Plenty of footy and boxing fans were not impressed with the quality of\u00a0Asofa-Solomona’s opposition<\/p>\n

‘That’s what happens when you fight old men. The whole night was a farce,’ added yet another.<\/p>\n

Latimore, 39, was giving away 10 years and 22 kilograms to the 133kg Asofa-Solomona – and the former Eels, Warriors, St George Illawarra, Penrith and Cronulla cult figure could not last a round.<\/p>\n

‘Yeah, it feels great but I’m not happy with the performance, to be honest,’ Asofa-Solomona said.<\/p>\n

‘I’m not happy with the way I was holding my stance and stuff like that. I was a bit loose.<\/p>\n

‘But I just want to say credit to this man (Latimore) right here. A lot of people wouldn’t dare to jump in this ring.<\/p>\n

‘So can we just give him a round of applause please everyone. Takes a lot of balls to get in.’<\/p>\n

Retired former South Sydney enforcer George Burgess has already called out Asofa-Solomona, saying he was fit and primed to take on the New Zealand Test star.<\/p>\n

‘I want to clean up the whole NRL division and then we go from there,’ Asofa-Solomona said when asked who his next target was.<\/p>\n

\"Asofa-Solomona <\/p>\n

Asofa-Solomona quit the NRL and the Melbourne Storm after becoming disillusioned with the sport<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The controversial forward missed two grand finals through suspension before moving to boxing<\/p>\n

‘Any NRL player can get it.’<\/p>\n

Not ruling out a return to league, the 29-year-old has signed a multi-year deal with No Limit Boxing and is intent on honing his skills before making any big calls on his future in either sport.<\/p>\n

‘It (my boxing debut) was a bit wild but, look, I’m just going to go back to the drawing board and just try and perfect everything in my game,’ he said.<\/p>\n

‘Man, what a journey. We know we’ve got bigger and better things to come and (I’m) really excited for the future.’<\/p>\n

Asked who his next target was, Asofa-Solomona said: ‘Any NRL player can get it’.<\/p>\n

‘I want to clean up the whole NRL division and then we can go from there.’<\/p>\n