Nelson Asofa-Solomona says some of Paul Gallen’s old team-mates have entered his DMs this week offering messages of support — and even urged him to KO their old captain over lingering financial issues.
The revelation comes as ‘Big Nasty’ also warned Gallen should never have come out of retirement to chase a potential $1 million purse, stressing: “Look, you’ve gotta feed your kids … but his payday is going to come at a big price”.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
As revealed by Fox Sports Australia this week, No Limit have coaxed Gal back into the ring with a contract boasting several lucrative contract incentives.
It’s understood the Cronulla premiership hero can earn a massive bump, and even surpass $1 million, if he becomes the first man to finish NAS.
Asked about the deal after Thursday’s weigh-in, Asofa-Solomona grinned before firing off a quick comeback.
“Well, what happens when I knock him out? What do I get?” NAS joked before then adding, “I’ll do it for free … I don’t care, bro”.
Elsewhere, the unbeaten heavyweight also said several of Gallen’s former team-mates, and even work colleagues, had privately urged him to knock the now Channel Nine NRL analyst out.
“There’s been so many people jumping in my DMs,” Asofa-Solomona said. “People who’ve played with Gal, people who’ve played against him, even people who have worked with him in the past.
“They’ve been telling me all these stories about him. Saying ‘yeah, bro, like please do a job on him’ …”
Asked to expand on the stories, the former New Zealand Test prop continued: “I can’t say too much, [but] it’s stuff to do with money. Bits and pieces.
“He’s just grown up in a different area. Is a different cat. And now the new era is here.”
Pushed on the messages, and if they had actually come from former Cronulla and NSW Origin stars, and NAS grinned: “They’re the only two teams he’s played for …”
After weighing in outside Tik Tok Arena on Friday, the two heavyweights then exchanged words while facing off, with Gallen afterwards refusing to reveal what was said.
However, he stressed there was no chance of the pair sharing a beer after Friday night’s showdown.
“No, we’re too far past that now,” he said.
Gallen also revealed his wife, Anne, who had initially urged him not to take the fight, was now “excited” by the showdown and would be in the Darling Harbour crowd.
“She went for a walk this morning and said, ‘I can’t wait for you to come for a walk with me again’,” Gal explained. “Then she said, ‘You know what? I’m actually excited now. I’m excited’.
“[Laughs] So we’re right, mate. I’m on, she’s back on board, so here we go. She’ll be coming to the fight.”
While Gallen wouldn’t reveal what was said during Friday’s final staredown, NAS was far more obliging.
“I just said the crossover king is coming to an end tomorrow night, and it’s an honor,” Asofa-Solomona said. “He thought I was taking the piss, but I said, ‘no, I’m not taking the piss, bro’, it’s an honor to be in the ring with you …”
Gallen confident of tiring ‘quitter’ NAS | 04:03
So as for why Gallen hadn’t revealed what was said when, moments earlier, he fronted the same media scrum?
“Dunno,” the unbeaten heavyweight continued. “Maybe he respects what I said.
“There’s mutual respect there, you know. I’m not going to lie.
“There’s a lot of things that have been said, and it’s up to you whether you take it personally or not.
“But ultimately, he’s been around for a long time.
“And I’m just here to do a job — take the mantle and get the hell out of here.
“But ultimately it is an honor to step into the ring with Paul Gallen.”
Rose: “Massive amount to miss weight by” | 03:56
Asofa-Solomona also promised to finish Gallen.
“And if it’s not a knockout, I don’t want it,” he stressed. “That’s the only result I’m here to get. I’m here for a highlight reel finish and I just know it’s my time.”