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Others, of course, haven\u2019t \u2014 just ask Aussie Rules icon Mark \u201cJacko\u201d Jackson, whose 2002 showdown with rugby league\u2019s Mal Meninga didn\u2019t quite go to script (first-round KO).<\/p>\n
Former Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona is the latest to attempt the transition and he goes head-to-head with fellow former NRL star Jarrod Wallace on the undercard of Tim Tszyu\u2019s showdown with Albanian champ Denis Nurja<\/a> this weekend.<\/p>\n And while Kiwi colossus \u201cBig Nasty\u201d is still very early in his boxing journey, history shows that when footy standouts fully commit to the sport, they can achieve some great things.<\/p>\n 1. Anthony Mundine \u2013 Rugby League <\/p>\n Few code-hoppers have made the jump – or the noise – quite like \u201cThe Man\u201d. The former Dragons and Broncos ace showed he had the tools to match the mouth, carving out an impressive boxing career to become a two-time WBA super-middleweight world champion.<\/p>\n He beat world-class opponents like Shane Mosley, Danny Green, Daniel Geale, Antwun Echols and Shannan Taylor. <\/p>\n Former unified world champ Sven Ottke even rated Mundine as the best boxer he ever fought.<\/p>\n Anthony Mundine (right) lands a big hit on Jose Clavero (left) during their WBA Super middle weight world title fight at the Sydney Entertainment CentreSource: AAP<\/p>\n 2. Bill Lang \u2013 Aussie Rules<\/p>\n Lang carved out an excellent footy career with Richmond, helping to win the VFA premiership in 1905.<\/p>\n But it was in the boxing ring where he truly made his name, and to this day he remains one of the few Aussies to challenge for a heavyweight world title \u2013 alongside \u201cBoshter\u201d Bill Squires, Kali Meehan, Alex Leapai and former champ Lucas Browne.<\/p>\n Lang famously took on Canadian phenom Tommy Burns in 1908 and, despite flooring \u201cThe Little Giant of Hanover\u201d multiple times, was eventually stopped.<\/p>\n The Australian heavyweight champ also shared the ring with boxing royalty like Jack Johnson, Sam Langford and Bob Fitzsimmons across a 44-fight career.<\/p>\n READ MORE BOXING<\/p>\n NIKITA GOES GLOBAL: Aussie set to face first international rival this month<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018ANNIHILATE HIM\u2019: Dog\u2019 comes out in Tszyu after first face off with rival ahead of $15m gamble<\/a><\/p>\n NAS: Ex-NRL badboy\u2019s \u2018blunt\u2019 boxing confession… and the big fish still on his footy hitlist<\/a><\/p>\n Fenech\u2019s big update over Tszyu boycott as secret fight week chat and $15m fear revealed<\/a><\/p>\n Australian boxing champion Bill LangSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n 3. Ambrose Palmer \u2013 Aussie Rules<\/p>\n A true gentleman of Aussie sport, Palmer ruled across divisions – claiming Australian middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles – and stood among the world\u2019s elite fighters throughout the 1930s.<\/p>\n Despite also notching up 83 matches for Footscray, it was as a boxing trainer where he arguably left his greatest mark.<\/p>\n His gyms became a breeding ground for talent, where he taught his famed fighting system, \u201cThe Method\u201d – one later used to great success by former world champion Johnny Famechon<\/a> and many others.<\/p>\n Ambrose Palmer in the ring.Source: News Limited<\/p>\n 4. Tony Madigan \u2013 Rugby Union<\/p>\n Possibly Australia\u2019s greatest amateur boxer, the versatile and talented union player for Randwick and other clubs, is best remembered for his two famous bouts with Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali).<\/p>\n At times training under legendary coach Cus D\u2019Amato at Stillman\u2019s Gym in New York, Madigan received numerous offers to turn professional \u2013 but he never did.<\/p>\n He represented Australia at three Olympics and narrowly missed a fourth, claiming a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Games and finishing fifth in both Helsinki and Melbourne.<\/p>\n Australian boxer Tony Madigan [2nd L] at the Rome Olympics, 1960Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n 5. Herb Narvo \u2013 Rugby League<\/p>\n Renowned for his fearsome physical presence, the Newtown Bluebags (now Jets) and St George great won premierships and proudly represented both NSW and Australia.<\/p>\n One of the toughest men in Aussie sport, the NRL Hall of Famer claimed the Australian Heavyweight Championship in 1945, knocking out reigning champ Billy Britt in just 25 seconds.<\/p>\n It\u2019s still one of the quickest finishes in domestic title-fight history.<\/p>\n Australian boxing champion and rugby league star Herb NarvoSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n 6. Snowy Baker \u2013 Rugby Union<\/p>\n Reginald \u201cSnowy\u201d Baker is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in Aussie sporting history, excelling in no less than 26 different disciplines.<\/p>\n He played rugby union for Eastern Suburbs, represented Australia against Great Britain, and also won fans in the boxing ring. At just 18, Baker pulled off a remarkable feat, winning both the Australian middleweight and heavyweight titles on the same night.<\/p>\n He went on to compete at the 1908 Olympics, claiming a silver medal after a controversial decision that many felt should have gone his way.<\/p>\n Australian all-rounder Snowy BakerSource: news.com.au<\/p>\n 7. Harold Hardwick \u2013 Rugby Union<\/p>\n Another true Aussie all-rounder, Hardwick was an Olympic gold medalist in swimming, a national heavyweight boxing champion and a state-representative rugby union player.<\/p>\n He played first-grade rugby for Sydney\u2019s Eastern Suburbs, helping the club claim a premiership in 1913.<\/p>\n Boxing had been part of his life since the age of 10. After winning the NSW amateur heavyweight title, Hardwick turned professional and went on to claim the Oz heavyweight crown. His final bout came against local hero Les Darcy.<\/p>\n Aussie boxing champion and rugby star Harold HardwickSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n 8. Paul Gallen \u2013 Rugby League<\/p>\n The NRL legend who represented Australia and captained the Sharks to their maiden 2016 premiership, took his renowned toughness from the field to the squared circle and built a boxing career few would have predicted.<\/p>\n Often giving away size, Gal notched up big wins over former UFC and K-1 kickboxing star Mark Hunt, fellow footy-to-boxing notables John Hopoate and Sonny Bill Williams, and former world champion Lucas Browne.<\/a><\/p>\n He finished with a more than respectable record of 16-2-1, calling it quits while he was \u201cstill on top\u201d, following a four-fight win streak.<\/p>\n NRL legend turned boxer Paul GallenSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n 9. Solomon Haumono \u2013 Rugby League<\/p>\n A feared presence on the footy field, Haumono played 111 NRL games for the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs, Tigers and Dragons, and represented Australia in eight Test matches before swapping the oval for the boxing ring.<\/p>\n The heavy hitter quickly made his mark in boxing, eventually claiming the Australian heavyweight title in 2012 and going on to face top-tier opponents, including former world champion Joseph Parker.<\/p>\n Known for his raw power, Haumono\u2019s punches have been described by Justin Fortune – former trainer of Manny Pacquiao – as feeling like being hit by a train.<\/p>\n Former Australian boxing champion and NRL star Solomon HaumonoSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n Thurman furious at referee call | 02:07<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n Nikita Tszyu goes global as first international top 15 rival secured in huge step<\/a><\/p>\n