Former NRL enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona has lifted the lid on his code-switch to boxing – and fired back at rival Jarrod Wallace with a cheeky dig ahead of their Easter Sunday showdown in Wollongong.

Asofa-Solomona, long known as one of the most feared big men in the NRL, is gearing up to continue his hyped sporting switch on the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s bout with Albanian champ Denis Nurja.

Tszyu vs Nurja | Sunday 5 April from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu looks to continue his boxing resurgence as he takes on Albanian Denis Nurja. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

‘Big Nasty’ inked a deal with No Limit Boxing last year after sensationally walking away from the final season of his $800,000-a-year NRL contract with Melbourne Storm.

The monster Kiwi wasted no time making a statement, flattening former rugby league cult hero Jeremy Latimore with a brutal first-round knockout on debut.

But speaking this week on NRL 360, NAS joked about the real reason behind his switch.

“To be quite blunt — I got sent off too many damn times,” he grinned.

“Maybe I was built for a different sport.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 16: Nelson Asofa-Solomona knocks out Jeremy Latimore during their Heavyweight bout at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on January 16, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Asofa-Solomona and Wallace are set to clash for a second time this weekend, having already met in a 2023 exhibition that was waved off in the third round after Asofa-Solomona dropped Wallace.

Wallace has promised things will be different this time, but NAS isn’t convinced.

“Anybody who jumps into the ring is dangerous,” said Asofa-Solomona.

“But the way he said he’s going to beat me is by ‘taking me to deep waters’, so I’ll pack my goggles and my bag and bring it up to the Gong.”

It’s not the first time an opponent has questioned Asofa-Solomona’s gas tank – and it’s not lost on the big man.

“Look, my last opponent said he would take me to deep waters,” the heavyweight told Main Event host Ben Damon earlier in the week.

“We didn’t even make it off the beach …”

While the longtime NRL enforcer is eager to make a statement in boxing, he admits he’s still learning on the job.

“In this sport, in any sport, I try to be the best I can be,” he said.

“I’m such a baby in this sport.”

“I just need to do my time, feel the ring, be in there with another opponent and really get the experience until I make the next step to so-called ‘real boxers’.”

Former NRL player Jarrod Wallace.Source: News Corp Australia

“I’m looking to do big things. Hopefully by the end of this year we can have a big fight, or early next year.”

When asked who is on his hit list after Wallace, Big Nasty rattled the names off.

“There’s Big Georgie Boy [George Burgess],” he said.

“I was supposed to have him this fight… then Matt Lodge after the NRL season [has finished].

“And possibly we can get a big NRL fight at the end of this year, or beginning of next year, with somebody you guys might know.”

Asofa-Solomona is of course referring to footy legend turned pug Paul Gallen.

Only last July, Gallen rolled back the clock to outgun Sonny Bill Williams, adding the New Zealand superstar’s scalp to a hit list that already features the likes of Mark Hunt, Lucas Browne and Junior Paulo.

When recently quizzed by Fox Sports Australiaon whether the Sharks legend is the end goal for No Limit, Asofa-Solomona played it cool.

“Ah, look, you hear things,” he grinned. “Hear whispers.

“But who knows? Nothing is ever concrete until that contract is signed.

“But if the money is right, I think he’ll be keen as.

“Obviously you’re not going to fight for marbles. Especially if you’re coming up against somebody like myself.

“You’re gonna want to get paid, and hopefully we can get it done.”

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And as for how he sees a potential showdown with a man only stopped once by Australian heavyweight Justis Huni?

“I think I’m too big, too long for him,” the heavyweight continued.

“Yes, Gal has definitely got the gas tank.

“Got a great motor.

“We follow each other on Instagram and he’s always posting up all this different fitness stuff.

“The guy is a mad man.

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“I’ve even seen him doing stuff with swimmers, with divers, exposing himself to other sports, and I’m sure he will be looking to go long rounds.

“But I just don’t believe it will. I just don’t see that fight going a long time.

“You don’t get paid for overtime, and I want to get in, get out, and be untouched.”