Storm NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona boxes with former heavyweight world champ Joseph Parker

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, a Melbourne man mountain, towered over former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker as the NRL star prepared for his professional boxing debut by donning the gloves with the Kiwi slugger.

Focused on launching a career in the ring, the 200cm, 115kg Storm enforcer has been paired with Parker for a light training session this week.

Parker is currently down under for the biggest heavyweight fight on Australian soil in 115 years when he takes on Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu for the Commonwealth title on May 24.

Parker, Australasia’s most accomplished heavyweight, will co-headline a doubleheader in No Limit Boxing’s Melbourne card with undefeated prospect Nikita Tszyu.

In a video posted to No Limit’s social media, Parker and Asofa-Solomona can be seen doing some lighting engineering before posing for photos with his fellow New Zealander.

Parker also took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to Opelu.

“Django, I hope you worked hard,” Parker said.

“I hope you’re ready, I hope you’re fit, I hope you’re strong—because it’s going to be a really tough fight for you.”

When asked what he thought of Asofa-Solomona, Parker said the footy star has all the ingredients to become a great fighter.

“Nelson is a big guy, and I think if he gave boxing a chance, focused on it and gave it some time, he could be a unit in the ring,” Parker said. News Corp.

“It has the height and the reach, it’s just about doing the job. I know he’s focused on what he’s doing with the team right now, but he could be a unit in the ring.”

The Storm prop’s love of the fighting game has been evident for a few years now, and he says he’s eager to make his pro debut.

“I’d kick myself if I didn’t have a fight at some point in my career, but I’m a guy who really respects the sport and I want to spend my time in the sport,” he said.

Parker (pictured with world champion Tyson Fury) is currently in Australia for the biggest heavyweight fight on Australian soil in 115 years when he takes on Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu for the Commonwealth heavyweight title

Parker said the hulking rugby league star (pictured recently doing pad work) has all the ingredients to be a great fighter

Asofa-Solomona says he will make his professional boxing debut within two years

“I train as much as I can which is hard during the NRL season, it’s full and by the time you’re available to train you’re broken or you have some cuts on your knuckles or you have some fingers dislocated.

“It’s been difficult to fit my boxing training into the NRL season, but it’s something I’m eager to do.

“It’s not easy, you risk everything, your reputation, when you jump into the ring.

“The NRL season is completely tailored to get to the grand final, and then you basically have a week off and then you go to internationals. And you don’t want to train during that free week.

“I think I will know to myself when the timing is right, it’s about making sure I’m mentally ready after a long season. Probably in the next few years.’

When Asofa-Solomona finally enters the ring, he will join a long list of rugby league stars who have donned the gloves.

Asofa-Solomona joins a host of footy stars who have donned the gloves – most notably Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams in recent years

Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams are by far the most notable of the recent footballers turned pugs, and both find great success – and money – in the sport.

Gallen posted a record 15 wins, two losses and a draw, with arguably his best win coming in 2020 with a points decision over UFC legend Mark Hunt.

Williams was knocked out when he faced Hunt in his most recent bout, but still amassed a pro record of nine wins and only one loss, the biggest scalp being former heavyweight world title contender Francois Botha in 2012.