In a stunning career shift, Melbourne Storm enforcer and New Zealand international Nelson Asofa-Solomona is walking away from professional rugby league to launch a bid to become a world heavyweight boxing champion.
From the NRL to the Boxing Ring
The Melbourne Storm have granted the 115kg forward an early release from his contract, despite two years still remaining on his deal. This follows a period where the giant prop was reportedly on the outer with club management after a string of disciplinary issues with referees and the judiciary limited his on-field impact.
Asofa-Solomona had been linked to the rebel R360 competition, but with that venture postponed until 2027, he has chosen to shun lucrative offers from the English Super League. Instead, he will commence his boxing career with a high-profile bout against a well-known NRL identity, according to reports.
A Long-Standing Passion for Pugilism
This move is not entirely unexpected, as the 200cm tall athlete has hovered around boxing for years. He first made waves in 2020 by challenging Darcy Lussick and later lined up a 2021 bout with Josh Papalii that fell through.
His training footage has long impressed the boxing community. Melbourne trainer Antoni Topic stated he had "never seen a big man move like Nelson", praising his speed, footwork and fearsome power. His only official ring outing so far was a spectacular one, knocking out fellow NRL star Jarrod Wallace with a devastating right uppercut at the 2023 Battle on the Reef.
Interestingly, boxing promoter Matt Rose had previously tried to sign him after seeing footage of Asofa-Solomona throwing heavy punches during a 2019 Bali nightclub brawl, where he was defending teammate Suliasi Vunivalu.
A Controversial NRL Career Left Behind
Asofa-Solomona's NRL career has been punctuated by controversy, both on and off the field. The infamous Bali incident resulted in an NRL Integrity Unit investigation, a three-match Test suspension and a suspended $15,000 fine.
On the field, his aggressive style repeatedly landed him in trouble. A Grade 3 careless high tackle in the 2024 preliminary final ruled him out of the grand final, and he accepted a two-match suspension for dangerous contact in 2025.
He was also an early high-profile promoter for the RUNIT Championship League, featuring in promotional material that framed it as a test of power. However, he later withdrew his support over safety concerns after experts raised alarms about concussions, and has since shifted his focus to promoting a separate, lower-risk game called Big Steppa.
Now, with his rugby league chapter closed, Nelson Asofa-Solomona sets his sights on a new and daunting goal: conquering the world of heavyweight boxing.
