LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has revealed that he has "fallen out of love" with rugby league, opting to pursue a full-time boxing career despite turning down lucrative offers. After leaving the Melbourne Storm in October, Asofa-Solomona reflects on a successful but tumultuous career, which included two premierships but was marred by suspensions that saw him miss the Storm's grand final appearances in 2024 and 2025.
The powerful athlete, standing at 201cm and weighing 115kg, cited the impact of suspensions and frequent sin-binnings as significant factors in his decision to step away from the NRL. He expressed relief about the nature of boxing, saying, "You can't get sent off in boxing, which is good, so that's a start."
George Rose, the boss of No Limit Boxing and a former NRL premiership-winning player himself, echoed Asofa-Solomona's sentiments, asserting that his size and aggressive playing style could be advantageous in the boxing ring. Rose noted, "You step into a boxing ring, we love reckless high shots. We love careless high shots," emphasizing the different nature of consequences between rugby and boxing.
In boxing, Rose pointed out, there are no penalties like fines or mandatory suspensions: "You're not going to get fined. You're not going to get three weeks (off). You're not getting one week. You're getting patted on the back."
As Asofa-Solomona embarks on this new phase in his career, he aims to channel his formidable skills into the sport of boxing, where the rules and expectations diverge significantly from his experiences in rugby league.