He described it as \u201cfeeling like a chore\u201d, citing missing the last two NRL grand finals through suspension as a factor for losing interest, but recently starting training at a boxing gym had reignited a fire in his belly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t get sent off in boxing,\u201d Asofa-Solomona said. \u201cI think it played a bit of a role but there are a lot of other contributing factors as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll never say never to football. It\u2019s all I\u2019ve ever known, but right now I want to put all my energy into boxing. It\u2019s something that I just right now really enjoy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to put people on highlight reels, just add people to their highlights on YouTube… I think ultimately I\u2019d regret it if I didn\u2019t give it a shot. So I\u2019m here to test myself, here to take a risk and ultimately not to look back and regret.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asofa-Solomona, who was one of the biggest players in the NRL at 2m tall and weighing 115kg, ends his career with 215 appearances with the Melbourne Storm, winning premierships in 2017 and 2020, and making 16 test appearances for New Zealand.<\/p>\n
The Wellingtonian showed plenty of boxing potential in his early foray into the ring. In 2023, Asofa-Solomona fought Jarrod Wallace, knocking out the former Dolphins prop in a three-round heavyweight fight.<\/p>\n
No Limit chief executive George Rose said Asofa-Solomona has the tools to excel in boxing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019ll be people that\u2019ll be absolutely s*** scared of going anywhere near him because of the size of him, because of the power, because of the athletic ability of him,\u201d Rose said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there are going to be people out there who want to make a name for themselves. Somebody wants to be the first person to hit Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got very limited experience coming into this, but that\u2019s what\u2019s exciting too, not knowing what he\u2019s going to bring and not knowing just how good he could be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asofa-Solomona didn\u2019t want to get too carried away about what he could achieve inside the ring.<\/p>\n
\u201cI done a bit of boxing when I was 12,\u201d Asofa-Solomona said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where it all started and had my first fight in 2023. And I thought I was going to finish there. I didn\u2019t think I was going to have another fight but just found the love back again.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to aim high and who knows where this can go. God\u2019s given me a massive body and strong mentality.\u201d<\/p>\n