- Aussie boxing champion Michael Zerafa impressed by NRL star
- Both happen to train at the same gym in Melbourne
- Asofa Solomona will make his in-ring debut on October 7
- Fighting fellow NRL star Jarrod Wallace in Townsville
- Part of the Battle On The Reef battle evening
World champion Aussie boxer Michael Zerafa has no doubt NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona will be an instant hit in the ring at next month’s Battle On The Reef fight night in Townsville.
The Melbourne Storm enforcer – who was powerless to stop Penrith marching to yet another NRL Grand Final after a resounding 38-4 win on Friday night – will don the gloves against Titans veteran Jarrod Wallace.
Zerafa revealed to Daily Mail Australia that he trains in the same gym as the towering Kiwi international, and backed the 27-year-old to win his debut match.
“He is an absolute unit, I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side,” Zerafa said.
“I’m good friends with Nas, it’s been a pleasure to watch him grow.
World champion Aussie boxer Michael Zerafa has no doubt NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona will be an instant hit in the ring at next month’s Battle On The Reef fight night in Townsville
Michael Zerafa (left) revealed he has been training at the same Melbourne gym as the Storm enforcer
Zerafa called his good friend a ‘unit’ and tipped the Kiwi international to win his debut fight against Titans veteran Jarrod Wallace
“I’m sure he’ll be disappointed that his (NRL) footy is over for the season but he can’t dwell on it too much, he needs to shift his focus.
“From what I’ve seen he’s super dedicated and super competitive when it comes to his boxing.
“He will want to make a statement and get the win.”
Other NRL players competing include Eels front rower Junior Paulo, recently retired Tevita Pangai Junior and former greats Justin Hodges and Matt Cooper.
Meanwhile, Storm coach Craig Bellamy says it’s time for Melbourne to learn from Penrith, who marched into their fourth successive grand final.
He called Ivan Cleary’s men the benchmark of the competition and believes it will take a special performance from the Broncos or Warriors to deny them an historic treble of titles.
“They’re so good at what they do,” Bellamy said. “They know what works for them, what their job is and they are so consistent.
“It seems like we’re just up and down, sometimes we’re good and sometimes we’re not so good and that’s what we have to learn to do.”
The only place you can see the full map of Battle On The Reef on October 7 is Stan Sports.