Nelson Asofa-Solomona is chasing payback for a ‘sack whack’.
Although not on him.
No, we’re talking about a nut shot on his old Melbourne Storm skipper Cameron Smith.
Way back in 2018, too.
And the offender?
Well, that was a St George Illawarra prop also in the headlines this week … Jeremy Latimore.
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Almost eight years since they squared off in an NRL game at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, Asofa-Solomona is now readying to throw down against Latimore in what shapes as one of Australian boxing’s most hyped crossover debuts.
Only weeks on from quitting a Storm contract worth $800,000 annually, the 29-year-old is now planning to shake up the Australian heavyweight scene – starting with his professional debut in Brisbane on January 16.
And as revealed by Fox Sports Australia on Monday, the former NRL enforcer’s rival for said bout – which takes place on the undercard of Nikita Tszyu versus Michael Zerafa – will be cult NRL prop Latimore, who late in his career was playfully dubbed ‘The GOAT’.
Wonderfully, it seems two men who made their name in rugby league also carry heat.
Or sort of.
And all because Latimore whacked Storm No.9 Smith in the dusters.
“Because to be completely honest,” Asofa-Solomona shrugs, “I don’t really remember playing against the guy.
“Only thing I remember is that he was the player punched Cam Smith in the nuts …”
Reports from the time suggest it was early in the second half of a game that Dragons would eventually win when, rising to play the ball, Latimore appeared, perhaps accidentally, to whack the testicles of Smith, who immediately dropped to the turf in agony.
A matter then made worse when Dragons No.9 Cam McInness, at dummy half and noting the marker in more than a little discomfort, then scooted out and over the line to score.
Afterwards, the bizarre incident created massive headlines everywhere, with Smith claiming foul play while Latimore said he was simply fighting to play the ball, and had little idea there was even an issue until Smith hit the deck.
Certainly, Asofa-Solomona hasn’t forgotten.
“And I might have to get him back for that,” he grinned.
Anything else you remember about Latimore then?
“Well, I know he also used to call himself ‘The Goat’,” continued the newest signing for Australian promoters No Limit. “I’ve got no idea where that came from …”
Of course, given the heights Smith reached in his own stellar career, there are plenty who believe it’s the now retired Queensland and Kangaroo star who most deserves the Greatest Of All Time moniker.
“So maybe that’s why [Latimore] thought he could take the title,” Asofa-Solomona laughs. “Because he punched The Goat in the nuts.
“But mate, you have to pay for stuff like that. What goes around comes around.”
While Latimore is now seven years retired from the NRL, he is also undefeated in two fights as a heavyweight – one in the professional ranks, and a second on the annual Podcast Royale fight event.
But as for how much of either NAS has watched?
“We started,” he says, “but turned it off after 10 seconds”.
Not impressed?
“We just truly believe the focus should be on me,” the former Stormer continues. “On what I’m doing.
“Obviously he has been in the boxing ring before, so you’ve gotta give respect.
“But I’m doing a lot of good work with Team Ellis, really knuckling down on the basics, so that’s why I’m wanting to stay focused on myself.
Asked about the hype surrounding his professional debut, and the man who played rugby league above 130kg continued: “Look, I’m not a big media guy, and I don’t like to talk trash.
“When I first spoke with the Rose boys about coming across, I just said ‘look I’m going to me’.
“T old them I’m not going to talk trash, or say things that are out of line.
“That doesn’t sit right with me or my morals.
“I think people do respect those who can be themselves, and the No Limit boys are very accepting of all that, too.”
Storm train without Asofa-Solomona | 01:06
And as for the reception he expects inside the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in a few weeks?
“I’m sure there are some boxing purists out there who don’t want to see me fight,” he continues. “But it’s going to not only bring a lot of eyes to the sport, but also a lot of positive stuff, too. I can also guarantee those who tune in will be entertained.”
And all of this too, fuelled in part by a Jubilee Oval sack whack eight years ago.
Speaking immediately after the 2018 incident blew up, Latimore immediately claimed the incident was accidental contact.
“I think I was fighting in the play-the-ball,” the prop said. “I [only] knew something happened when he was on the deck.
“You’re trying to play the ball as quick as you can. I saw Cam on the ground and [then] did try to apologise at the scrum but he was in a fair bit of pain.”
While Smith was clearly fuming at the incident, Latimore said there was no malice in it.
“You can look at my history, it’s not in my nature,” he continued. “At the time I was trying to get a quick play-the-ball and Cam tries to slow the play-the-ball down a fair bit …”
Explaining things after the game, Smith said: “I got hit in the very, very sensitive parts.”
Quizzed on whether it was accidental, he said: “Well, I thought I was in a position in the tackle where I can’t really get caught up in any sort of stray elbows and knees, put it that way.
“I can’t remember ever falling off a tackle in that position that close to the tryline. I don’t think I ever have in my entire career.
“The referees obviously didn’t see anything and they didn’t feel there was any sort of foul play, so that’s the way it went.”
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