Why former Melbourne enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona chose boxing over rugby league

Nelson Asofa-Solomona admits he has "fallen out of love" with rugby league and turned down multi-million-dollar opportunities so that he could pursue a fulltime boxing career.

The tallest player in NRL history has signed a multi-year deal with No Limit Boxing and will fight on the undercard of next month's Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa grudge match on the Gold Coast.

Asofa-Solomona parted ways with Melbourne in October after a decorated two-premiership-winning career also blighted by missing the Storm's 2024 and 2025 grand final losses due to suspension.

The 201-centimetre, 115-kilogram enforcer on Thursday conceded the heartbreaking bans and endless sin-binnings played a part in his decision to walk away from the NRL.

"You can't get sent off in boxing, which is good, so that's a start," he said.

No Limit Boxing boss and fellow former NRL premiership-winning prop George Rose doubled down, claiming Asofa-Solomona's size and aggression will be more suited in the ring.

"You step into a boxing ring, we love reckless high shots. We love careless high shots," Rose said.

"You're not going to get fined. You're not going to get three weeks [off]. You're not getting one week. You're getting patted on the back.

"I'm not saying rugby league's gone soft, but it's changing to the point where it's not suiting a person like Nelson, that when you're that big, when you're that strong, and your best tools are smashing people, it's being taken out of the game.

"You're losing your best tools here. We want you to use the best tools. We want you to knock people out. We want you to use your size, use your strength, use your power and be devastating in the ring.

"You're not allowed to do that on the field. In boxing, you are."

It is understood Asofa-Solomona was offered $700,000 a season to join Parramatta, while the 29-year-old had also been linked to a move to rugby's mooted R360 competition.

But the 215-game Storm powerhouse opted for a fresh challenge.

"I've fallen out of love for the game of rugby league and now I've fallen in love with the boxing game," Asofa-Solomona said.

"That's why I'm here today. I'm here to test myself, here to take a risk."

The biggest challenge for No Limit Boxing might be finding a first-up opponent for the man mountain to face on January 16.

Rose is confident he has time.

"With Nelson, it's an interesting one because there will be people that will be absolutely s*** scared of going anywhere near him because of the size of him, because of the power, because of the athletic ability of him," Rose said.

"But there's going to be people out there who want to make a name for himself.

"Somebody wants to be the first person to hit Nelson in the mouth.

"So there will be people lined up and we've got no doubt that we'll find a great opponent for him, not only for that fight but for all fights going forward."

The 16-Test New Zealand international has not completely closed the door on a return to league one day.

"I've never said 'never say never' to football. It's all I've ever known," Asofa-Solomona said.

"But right now, I want to put all my energy into boxing. It's something that I just right now really enjoy."

AAP