Former Melbourne Storm powerhouse Nelson Asofa-Solomona has formally secured an opponent for his much-anticipated skilled boxing debut.
Asofa-Solomona will step into the ring towards former NRL journeyman and cult hero Jeremy Latimore on the Brisbane Leisure Centre on January 16.
The bout serves as a high-profile addition to the blockbuster Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa undercard, an evening already steeped in rugby league crossover appeal.
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Nelson Asofa-Solomona in motion towards Jarrod Wallace throughout the Battle on the Reef in 2023. Alix Sweeney
Asofa-Solomona is extensively thought-about the poster boy for No Restrict Boxing’s subsequent wave of boxing converts — following within the profitable footsteps of NRL legend and premiership-winning captain Paul Gallen — however he faces a difficult opening check in Latimore.
The 39-year-old former prop is seven years faraway from his NRL profession however holds a definite benefit in ring expertise, having received his skilled debut towards Alexander Ale by unanimous choice in late 2024.
Latimore additionally holds a victory from the Podcast Royal occasion on the Gold Coast final April, the place he received an exhibition bout.
In October, Asofa-Solomona, 29, walked away from his $800,000-a-year NRL profession, securing a launch from the ultimate two years of his contract with the Storm to pursue boxing full-time.
Earlier this month, he confirmed his nine-fight cope with No Restrict.
Asofa-Solomona brings a terrifying bodily presence and a fame as one of the feared enforcers in rugby league, however Latimore’s sturdiness and willingness to step up on quick discover have already injected a dose of veteran grit into the promotion.
A veteran of 182 NRL matches, Latimore now works with skilled trainers Brian Doyle and Mark Gambin.
Latimore joked that his mom was “completely filthy” about him taking the battle towards the Storm large, but he’s the primary fighter to formally signal on the dotted line to face the 200cm New Zealander.
“After I first advised the thought a number of weeks again, my mum was like ‘No, no, no’,” Latimore stated.
“However then finally I needed to ring her again and say, ‘Ah, I’ve now signed the f—-ing contract’ …”
The bout options three-minute rounds — an expert format Latimore favours and has beforehand demanded.
Latimore took to social media final week to name out Asofa-Solomona in a collection of posts.
The ex-Kiwi ahead brings a confirmed — and at instances controversial — fight pedigree to his skilled debut.
Jeremy Latimore areer spanned stints with the Eels, Warriors, Dragons, Panthers, and Sharks, earlier than a closing return to the Purple V. Getty
His resume features a 2023 knockout victory over Jarrod Wallace and a infamous 2019 incident in Bali, the place he was captured on digicam throwing haymakers in defence of teammate Suliasi Vunivalu.
The heavyweight bout joins a “unhealthy blood” card headlined by the long-awaited grudge match between Tszyu and Zerafa.
Additionally included is a world title eliminator between Liam Paro and Paddy Donovan, that means the occasion is monitoring to be the largest fight sports activities spectacle in Queensland historical past.
