{"id":500373,"date":"2026-03-28T16:31:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/500373\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T16:31:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:31:14","slug":"how-a-honest-spray-from-his-wife-transformed-former-nrl-star-jarrod-wallace-ahead-of-his-boxing-rematch-against-nelson-asofa-solomona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/500373\/","title":{"rendered":"How a honest ‘spray’ from his wife transformed former NRL star Jarrod Wallace ahead of his boxing rematch against Nelson Asofa-Solomona"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pair will square off on Tim Tszyu undercard on April 5 in Wollongong<\/p>\n

By ANDREW PRENTICE, SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 00:40 EDT, 28 March 2026 | Updated: 00:40 EDT, 28 March 2026 <\/p>\n

NRL<\/a> star turned heavyweight boxer\u00a0Jarrod Wallace has his wife to thank after an honest ‘spray’ got his life back on track.<\/p>\n

Wallace, 34, was struggling for purpose after retiring from footy in 2024, despite securing radio roles on SEN and Triple M.<\/p>\n

At one stage, the forward who played six Origin games for Queensland<\/a> saw his weight balloon past 130kg – and that was when Shannon stepped in.<\/p>\n

‘I don’t know if it was depression<\/a>, but it was definitely a dark spot,’ Wallace told Code Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n

‘I remember my missus spraying me, saying, ‘You’re so much better than this’.<\/p>\n

‘I kind of felt sorry for myself, like I was being picked on…\u00a0\u00a0I just turned into a shell of a person.’<\/p>\n

\"NRL <\/p>\n

NRL star turned heavyweight boxer Jarrod Wallace has his wife to thank after an honest ‘spray’ from his wife Shannon got his life back on track (pictured right, fighting\u00a0Nick Timms)<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The forward who played six Origin games for Queensland saw him weight balloon past 130kg – and that was when Shannon stepped in (pictured, after scoring a try for the Dolphins in 2023)<\/p>\n

Wallace eventually reached out to trainer Fidel Tukel, who was initially apprehensive about the Gold Coast Titans junior’s chances in the ring in a rematch against\u00a0Nelson Asofa-Solomona.<\/p>\n

In late 2023, Wallace fought ‘Big Nasty’ on the Battle of the Reef card in Townsville, losing in the third round by TKO.<\/p>\n

Come Easter Sunday on April 5, Wallace will look to square the ledger in Wollongong when the pair fight on the Tim Tszyu undercard.<\/p>\n

In the lead-up to the bout at the WIN Entertainment Centre, Wallace declared he is living ‘rent-free’ in Asofa-Solomona’s head after referencing a try he scored against the Melbourne Storm in 2019.<\/p>\n

Wallace caught Asofa-Solomona off guard close to the line – and he continues to dine out on the on-field moment.<\/p>\n

Back in 2022, Wallace’s former wife\u00a0broke her silence to reveal her torment after the prop allegedly cheated on her after she put on weight and suffered post-natal depression.<\/a><\/p>\n

A one-time Miss World Australia, model and television presenter, Courtney Thorpe was living a life many envied.<\/p>\n

When she crossed paths with Wallace for the first time in 2017 at South Bank in Brisbane, it was love at first sight.<\/p>\n

\"Come <\/p>\n

Come Easter Sunday on April 5, Wallace will look to square the ledger in Wollongong when he fights\u00a0Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the Tim Tszyu undercard (pictured, in their 2023 bout)<\/p>\n

\"Wallace <\/p>\n

Wallace has credited his wife Shannon for making him ‘the happiest I have ever been’<\/p>\n

The couple enjoyed a whirlwind relationship and were married two years later.<\/p>\n

They welcomed their daughter, Kennedy Grace, in August of 2019. The birth was traumatic and Kennedy was premature.<\/p>\n

The new mother gained 35kg and suffered from post-natal depression, with Wallace often on the road with the Titans.<\/p>\n

Overcome with anxiety, Thorpe said she frequently apologised to her husband for being overweight, and even promised him she would ‘get skinny, just please don’t cheat on me.’<\/p>\n

Wallace allegedly reassured her he wouldn’t stray, and only had eyes for her.<\/p>\n

Thorpe’s life was then turned upside down when she confronted Wallace about other alleged women. A series of alleged text messages ended their marriage.<\/p>\n

The retired footy star has never admitted to infidelity and denies any suggestion that he cheated on Thorpe.<\/p>\n

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