Imagine two former NRL powerhouses stepping back into the ring, not for a friendly spar, but for a full-blown boxing showdown. It’s a fight that could redefine legacies—and it’s closer to reality than you might think. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, the towering ex-Melbourne Storm enforcer, has thrown down the gauntlet, expressing his eagerness to ‘dance’ with none other than Paul Gallen in 2026. But here’s where it gets controversial: Gallen, a NSW Origin legend and crossover boxing star, would be stepping out of retirement—again—to face a man nearly 15 years his junior and potentially double his weight. Is this a fair fight, or a cash grab? You decide.
Asofa-Solomona’s bold statement comes just weeks after his departure from the NRL, and on the heels of his highly anticipated professional boxing debut. On January 16, he’ll face Jeremy Latimore in Brisbane, as part of a stacked undercard that includes the heated rivalry bout between Michael Zerafa and Nikita Tszyu. But let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Asofa-Solomona’s weight. He admits he has no clue how much he’ll tip the scales at for his debut, though he was last recorded in the ‘mid 130s’ during his NRL days. And this is the part most people miss: In boxing, weight isn’t just a number—it’s a weapon. How will this impact his performance against Latimore, let alone a potential clash with Gallen?
Gallen, who retired from fighting earlier this year after a split decision win over Sonny Bill Williams, has already hinted he’s done with the ring. ‘I’m 44 in a month. I’ve finished my fights,’ he declared. Yet, Asofa-Solomona remains hopeful. ‘I’d love to dance with him,’ he told Fox Sports Australia, adding, ‘I’m not calling him out—I’m not that guy. But if he did want to come back, there’d be a lot of hype, and we could both make some decent money.’
Here’s the kicker: Gallen’s boxing career has been nothing short of stellar, grossing $25 million in his prime years. A farewell fight against Asofa-Solomona would be a massive event, especially given the close relationship between No Limit’s Rose boys and ‘Gal.’ But is it a fair matchup? Asofa-Solomona is in his prime, while Gallen would be stepping into the ring at 46. Is this a passing of the torch, or a mismatch waiting to happen?
Before any Gallen showdown, Asofa-Solomona must first prove himself against Latimore. The former St George Illawarra prop, a decade older and significantly lighter, poses his own challenges. Latimore has fought at 113kg, while Asofa-Solomona’s NRL playing weight was a reported 130kg. Yet, NAS remains unfazed, focusing on his craft rather than the numbers. ‘I’m a sponge, learning the craft,’ he said. ‘I just need to do my time and go from there.’
Asofa-Solomona’s journey into boxing began at 12, when he sparred—and defeated—a gym trainer’s 16-year-old son. Now, he dreams of mixing it with the best, inspired by heavyweights who boxed into their 40s. But with only one exhibition fight (a win over Jarrod Wallace) and the infamous 2019 Bali fight video to his name, can he truly compete at the highest level? Promoters No Limit certainly think so, pushing for big fights early in his career.
So, here’s the question: Is Asofa-Solomona the future of Australian heavyweight boxing, or just another NRL star chasing a payday? And should Gallen risk his legacy for one last dance? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
