Nelson Asofa-Solomona has vowed to KO Paul Gallen even faster than Australian heavyweight star Justis Huni did — and while also confirming “whispers” of a 2026 crossover blockbuster between the pair.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Asofa-Solomona has also unveiled his plans to fight both Curtis Scott and Matthew Lodge this year, while also opening up for the first time on his shock social media war with Lodge, which exploded during the NRL Las Vegas build.
Only two months after winning his hyped professional debut, Australia’s newest crossover boxing star is now looking to double down against Jarrod Wallace on Easter Sunday.
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After finishing NRL prop Jeremy Latimore within a round, Asofa-Solomona has been pitched onto the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s push toward a showdown with American superstar Errol Spence Jnr.
On Sunday April 5 in Wollongong, Tszyu will headline against undefeated Albanian Denis Nurja (20-0).
Asofa-Solomona, meanwhile, will throw down on a stacked undercard also boasting the likes of Sam Goodman, Paulo Aokuso, Ahmad Reda and Callum Peters.
Given the fighter dubbed Big Nasty has already stopped Wallace previously, in a 2023 exhibition bout, he expressed his “shock” this week at the Queensland Origin retiree now wanting a second crack.
Elsewhere, Fox Sports Australia understands promoters No Limit remain convinced they can eventually land a fight between their new heavyweight star and Gallen – who even now, aged 44, would likely open the betting favourite given his own storied fight career.
Only last July, Gallen fought and beat Sonny Bill Williams, adding the New Zealand dual international’s scalp to an impressive list of victories over the likes of Mark Hunt, Lucas Browne and Junior Paulo.
While Asofa-Solomona is convinced he stops Gallen – and quickly – the Cronulla premiership hero has only ever been finished by Huni, in 2021, and even then it came in the tenth and final round.
Quizzed on suggestions a Gallen bout is the end goal for promoters No Limit, and Asofa-Solomona was giving little away.
“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.”
And as for how the fight goes?
“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.
“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.”
Asofa-Solomona also opened up on his recent war of words with Lodge, who has this year signed on with the North Queensland Cowboys.
After Cowboys players completed their first training run in Las Vegas in the week prior to the season opener, Lodge volunteered to front media and discuss being back on US soil for the first time since his infamous 2015 New York arrest.
As the interview was winding up, Fox Sports Australia asked the longtime NRL enforcer about suggestions he could take a crossover bout against Asofa-Solomona later this year.
“He already knows where he can get it,” Lodge replied. “He knows where he can get the fight and so does George [Rose].
“But right now, my full focus is this weekend. Unlike Nelson, I’m not gonna quit footy to get in the ring …”
That last line drew an immediate response from NAS, who replied on Instagram with a screenshot of the story, suggesting Lodge wouldn’t even be in the NRL if he had stayed.
When quitting his $800,000-a-year Melbourne contract to take up boxing, it was confirmed the Storm premiership winner had also been fielding lucrative offers from the Parramatta Eels, Warriors and rugby’s mooted R360 competition.
However, NAS revealed the Cowboys were also interested in his services — and for the exact spot that was eventually offered up as something of a lifeline to former Manly Sea Eagle, Lodge.
“You wouldn’t have a job if I took the contract you’re on now,” Asofa-Solomona wrote. “Thank me later @matt_lodge”.
Asked about it all this week, Asofa-Solomona said a fight with Lodge will definitely happen, and that it will finish the same way as his debut against Latimore.
“Because when you look at the fight against Jeremy Latimore, and the way I executed, that could’ve been anyone,” he stressed.
“So Matt Lodge is a fight we are going to have down the track. It’s a really good fight, too.”
Asked about their surprise war of words in NRL Las Vegas week and the heavyweight continued: “I think he [Lodge] is just finding it hard to get a contract now, year to year.
“His latest one, I don’t even know if it’s two years or one?
“Plus when he came out saying I quit rugby league to do boxing … it was rugby league that quit on me and forced my hand.
“I had to go after a different career.
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“Boxing fell into my lap and I’m happy with how it’s all turning out.”
And as for you being offered his Cowboys spot, first?
“They did approach me, yeah,” Asofa-Solomona said. “With Jordan McLean hanging up the boots, they were looking for a replacement and so reached out to me.
“But I gave them the same response that I’d given a few other clubs. Due to the suspensions and a few other things, I just wasn’t feeling the game.
“But yes, I’m assuming that contract offer was the one he eventually got.”
Elsewhere, Asofa-Solomona also confirmed he and Curtis Scott have spoken about fighting this year, while the heavyweight heaped praise on Gallen’s achievements as a crossover star.
“I have a lot of respect for Gal and what he’s done in the boxing game,” Asofa-Solomona said.
“He’s really laid out the blueprint for guys like myself.
“And I think a fight against him would be a great opportunity to test myself.
“To fight a guy who has really laid down the platform for guys like me.
“Hopefully we can get it on.”
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