Imagine this: a clash of titans, a battle of former NRL behemoths, a potential mega-payday for everyone involved. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, fresh off his departure from the Melbourne Storm, has thrown down the gauntlet to Paul Gallen, daring the NSW Origin legend to lace up the gloves one last time in 2026! He wants to "dance" with Gallen, as he puts it, in what would undoubtedly be a massive showdown.
But here's where it gets controversial... Gallen, already retired (again!), would be facing a significantly younger and heavier opponent. Is this a fair fight? Is it even a good idea? More on that in a bit.
This bold challenge comes as Asofa-Solomona prepares for his professional boxing debut against Jeremy Latimore on the undercard of the Michael Zerafa versus Nikita Tszyu fight – a huge event in itself. And get this: despite the looming fight, NAS admits he has absolutely no idea how much he currently weighs! He last remembers being in the "mid 130s" (kilograms) when he last stepped on the scales. That's a massive dude!
For context: Tszyu vs Zerafa: Bad Blood is happening Friday, January 16th from 7pm AEDT. Former NRL enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona will be making his pro boxing debut. You can order it with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Gallen's history in the ring is nothing short of impressive. Over 12 years, he built a successful career as a crossover boxing star, reportedly earning a staggering $25 million in his three biggest years! A fight against Asofa-Solomona would undoubtedly be a lucrative event, and the Rose brothers at No Limit already have a strong relationship with Gallen, making the logistics relatively straightforward.
And this is the part most people miss... The sheer physical disparity between the two fighters. Gallen would be conceding around 15 years to NAS, and likely a significant weight advantage – potentially double-digit kilos. This creates serious questions about the fairness and viability of the matchup.
Before any of this potential Gallen showdown can even be considered, Asofa-Solomona needs to prove himself in the ring against Jeremy Latimore. Their bout is part of a stacked card in Brisbane on January 16th, featuring not only the Tszyu vs. Zerafa headliner but also an IBF welterweight title eliminator for Liam Paro. It's a huge opportunity for NAS to make a statement.
Gallen, for his part, only recently came out of retirement to defeat Sonny Bill Williams by split decision. Immediately after that fight, he strongly hinted at hanging up the gloves for good, stating, "I got the win, that’ll be there forever... [But] at the end of the day, I’m 44 in a month. I’ve finished my fights.” But could the allure of a massive payday and another headline fight be enough to tempt him back?
Asofa-Solomona, standing at a towering 200cm, is clearly eager to test himself against the best. He specifically mentioned Gallen's impressive resume, having faced the likes of Justis Huni, Lucas Browne, Mark Hunt, Barry Hall, and even Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant on the same night. He wants to prove he belongs in that company.
When asked directly about a potential fight with Gallen, Asofa-Solomona's response was telling: “Yeah, I’d love to dance with him... Obviously, right now, Gal is retired and doing his media thing. So I’m definitely not calling him out. I’m not that guy. But if he did want to come back? I know there would be a lot of hype around any fight between us. And we could both make some decent money from it... But Gal has already done plenty in the fight game and had a great run. So if it’s a rest that he wants, he definitely deserves it.”
His opponent, Jeremy Latimore, brings significant experience to the table. With over 180 NRL games under his belt and the nickname 'GOAT' earned during his playing days, Latimore is no pushover. He also has two heavyweight boxing wins to his name. However, he's a decade older than NAS, and the weight difference remains a significant question mark. Latimore has previously fought at 113kg, while Asofa-Solomona's reported NRL playing weight was 130kg.
Asofa-Solomona himself seems unconcerned about the numbers on the scale. He admits he hasn't weighed himself since leaving the Storm and prefers to focus on how he feels. In his exhibition fight against Jarrod Wallace in 2023, he weighed in at 131.6kg. "But my weight now? No idea,” he said. “I haven’t touched the scales since I left the Storm... And right now I don’t want to dictate anything off numbers. Instead, it’s all about how I feel. So I’m just going to keep putting in the work. Then whatever I weigh on the day will be what it is …”
Despite the hype, Asofa-Solomona's boxing highlight reel is relatively limited, consisting mainly of the Wallace finish and the infamous 2019 Bali fight video. However, promoters No Limit are hoping he can follow in the footsteps of Gallen, who even fought for the Australian heavyweight title. They are keen to make some big fights for their newest signing, and quickly.
Asofa-Solomona's ambitions are clear. He wants to make his mark in a sport he initially took up at the age of 12, recalling how he beat up the gym trainer's 16-year-old son in sparring! He understands he's a novice but dreams big. "Heavyweights can go for a long time,” he said. “You look at history and you’ve got guys boxing into their early 40s... Yes, I’m still a baby in this sport. But I’d also be foolish to come into this, or anything else, and dream small. So I’m dreaming big. And eventually, I want to eventually mix it with the best. Right now though, I’m a sponge, learning the craft. I just need to do my time and go from there.”
So, what do you think? Is a fight between Asofa-Solomona and Gallen a realistic possibility or just wishful thinking? Would you pay to see it? And more importantly, is it a fair matchup, considering the age and weight differences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
