In a stunning career pivot, former Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona has publicly declared he has "fallen out of love" with rugby league, choosing to walk away from lucrative NRL contracts to chase a full-time professional boxing career.
A New Challenge in the Ring
The tallest player in NRL history, standing at 201cm and weighing 115kg, has officially signed a multi-year promotional deal with No Limit Boxing. His first fight is scheduled for January 16 on the Gold Coast, where he will feature on the undercard of the highly anticipated Nikita Tszyu versus Michael Zerafa grudge match.
Asofa-Solomona's departure from the Melbourne Storm was confirmed in October, ending a decorated tenure that included two premierships. However, his career was also marked by significant disciplinary setbacks, including suspensions that saw him miss the Storm's grand final losses in both 2024 and 2025.
Frustration with the Modern Game
The 29-year-old, who played 215 games for the Storm, admitted on Thursday that the heartbreak of those bans and frequent sin-binnings influenced his decision to leave the sport. "You can't get sent off in boxing, which is good, so that's a start," Asofa-Solomona told AAP, highlighting a key appeal of his new pursuit.
His sentiment was strongly echoed by No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose, a former NRL premiership-winning prop himself. Rose argued that the modern rugby league rules have increasingly penalised the very physical attributes that made Asofa-Solomona such a formidable player.
"I'm not saying rugby league's gone soft, but it's changing to the point where it's not suiting a person like Nelson," Rose stated. "When you're that big, that strong, and your best tools are smashing people... it's being taken out of the game. In boxing, you are allowed to use your size, strength, and power."
Turning Down Big Money for a Fresh Start
The career switch comes despite significant financial incentives to remain in the 13-man code. It is understood Asofa-Solomona was offered a contract worth $700,000 per season to join the Parramatta Eels. The New Zealand international, who earned 16 Test caps, had also been linked to a potential move to rugby union's proposed R360 competition.
Ultimately, the allure of a new test proved stronger. "I've fallen out of love for the game of rugby league and now I've fallen in love with the boxing game," Asofa-Solomona declared. "I'm here to test myself, here to take a risk."
One of the immediate challenges for his promoters will be finding a suitable first opponent willing to face the athletic man-mountain. Rose remains confident, suggesting that while some fighters will be intimidated, others will see a prime opportunity to make a name for themselves.
While fully committed to boxing for now, the door to a league return isn't completely bolted shut. "I've never said 'never say never' to football. It's all I've ever known," Asofa-Solomona conceded. "But right now, I want to put all my energy into boxing."
