Nelson Asofa-Solomona has turned his back on up to seven NRL clubs interested in his service, quitting the NRL to take up a full-time deal in boxing.
News.com.au can exclusively reveal the NRL’s biggest man has quit rugby league indefinitely to pursue his dream of becoming a heavyweight boxing champion.
The 115kg enforcer has also become the first off-contract player to shun the mega bucks of R360 and also the riches on offer in the English Super League.
The former Melbourne Storm forward has signed a full-time boxing deal and could earn up to $1m a year in his new sport.
Plans are already underway for a rugby league super fight with another high profile NRL behemoth.
Replies
Joash had a good debut on the Wing but full-time? He would not last. His size would get him. Yeah at 5/8 he was fine but he is not expected to take the runs like he is on the Wing.
Havnt heard much about that schoolboy superstar foward from Brisbane lately I hope that's still happening
More likely training with SG Ball and or Flegg. He wouldn't be with FG at this stage.
You would think his 115kg can throw them heavy so he has a punchers chance...but he also has a huge fucking head to pop-off on. (He might need the number of mattos neurologist). I am guessing he would also be super aggressive so you would want to go in with a solid plan to keep him off you. Taking him straight up would seem to be difficult
I hope Lomax succeeds...I hope this Easter Island headed mofo takes a Million dollars worth counterpunches right where he hates it most
Yes we have trouble attracting talent but paying overs just to get a deal done is stupid. It is better to target younger unknown players and develop them. If you sign someone on overs it shows they are just after money so there are 2 likely outcomes. They don't live up to the paycheck and drag the club down or prove a valuable buy then come contract time they leave to the next highest bidder. Melbourne have used this strategy successfully along with buying players down on form but who have talent.
Developing juniors and giving players an opportunity like Iongi and Kautoga can breed loyalty. They sign for less money due to lack of experience and if Ryles can get them firing we have 2-3 years of a player who plays better than his pricetag. Then we have upper hand in negotiations come contract time as it's easier to keep talent then attract talent.
Lots of complaints on missing out on players but who has been available this year to sign after November 1. Which star players signed elsewhere and was it a club like tigers who pay overs, or roosters broncos who can pay TPAs or panthers who are a premiership contender. No one has really listed these great outside backs we have missed out on this year. The whinging is just like last year when losing Gutho and RCG but Iongi outplayed Gutho and RCG did nothing. Ryles also got Dylan Walker and the young players really stepped up, so I don't understand why people are so upset we haven't wasted our cap signing someone just for the sake of it.
Only thing I have in retort to this is really our top tier talent and our pathways options as good as what we are seeing in other top nrl clubs.
We talk Roosters Broncs Raiders Storm Riff and alike all are ahead of us in the mentioned and seemingly don't have the same obstacles we have this is the worry.In the same breath I agree we shouldn't be over paying that's for real.I look at what the Raiders have done the last 3 -5 years they've always struggled to get talent down there so they've gone the English route.This is what I find hard to fathom when it comes with us in that regard we seemingly just rolling out the same recruitment strategy as an example.
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