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.

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          • Apparently he is 

            • I have now seen one outlet reporting the case. Unless his deal, which was a two year deal, was 2026 development and 2027 top 30 which is common.

          • I think he got upgraded LB, I could be wrong though

          • He is now.

            • That is a very big concern because it tells us they have little faith in who is coming through or who they were able to chase unsuccessfully. 

              • If he is top 30, then it is a deal already in place when he signed last year. This would not be a reaction to Lomax leaving.

                Similar to like Latu and Funa-Iuta, who are on development for 2026 and top 30 2027.

                • Tell me more about why you feel that way LB? I don't think we would've planned to upgrade Tago unless necessary TBH

                  • Well i do not see Tago really in their plans based on him being available for most of 2025 and only got one game and never got in the 22 again.

                    Zac Cini had the same thing, he signed a dev deal for 2022 with top 30 for 2023. We signed Tago for 2 years at the end of 2024, we thought two years dev but more likely is dev 2025 and top 30 2026. 

                    Again it's very common. Ryley Smith originally signed dev 2025 and top 30 2026. Samrani the same, Richie Penisini had the same before upgraded mid year. Latu and Funa-Iuta have it for this year and next year top 30. It's very common practice. Talataina even has a deal for top 30 in 2028.

                    It is a way to set your squad and future players up for the future. You have a player not quite ready but don't want to lose them you do these deals and spots free up the following year. 

                    • I agree with everything you've said but the end result, I think all that shows me that he has been chosen as the replacement. 
                      Tago wouldn't get an auto dev, he is not in demand and we would just negotiate a new deal if he went well. 

                    • How does that show he is the replacement? He was signed to this before 25'. What do you mean auto dev deal? He signed a two year deal, in that deal you need to stipulate what criteria they on. 

                      I thought 2 years dev but makes sense its dev 25' and Top 30 26. If that is signed we must honour it unless he asks for a release. 

                      If he is top 30 this has not been negotiated recently. We knew Tago signed for two years last year. 

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