Paul Gallen vs Nelson Asofa-Solomona boxing fight, Digi Mart USA News: Danny Green has said Paul Gallen’s “junkyard dog” style is fully capable of earning a $1 million KO bonus against Nelson Asofa-Solomona on Thursday night. Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on fight eve, the Australian boxing great also questioned whether Asofa-Solomona’s press conference comments this week, in which he brought up Gallen’s wife, could now backfire on him.
“Because,” Green said, “it feels a bit like Big Nasty might’ve tugged on the tail of a hungry f***ing python.” The fight is scheduled for 7pm AEDT and is being shown on Kayo Sports.
NRL legend Willie Mason has also warned against counting out Gallen, who at 45 is the $2 Sportsbet outsider. Speaking about his former NSW and Kangaroo teammate, Mason called Gallen “a f***ing animal” whose history against Justis Huni and Mark Hunt could prove the difference.
After weeks of trash talk, Gallen and Asofa-Solomona are set to meet in a bout dubbed the battle to become Australia’s undisputed crossover heavyweight king. Asked for a prediction, Green said he was backing Gallen, explaining that the former NSW Origin great differs from other footballers who have moved into boxing and fought “complete bozos.”
Mason agreed, saying Gallen’s three fights against Huni, Hunt and Lucas Browne had convinced the Australian sports public that he was a legitimate professional heavyweight. “That fight against Huni,” Mason said, “that’s where everyone just went ‘f*** Gal, you’re the f***ing man’.” He added that Gallen “just doesn’t have that quit in him,” and that Asofa-Solomona would find the fight difficult.
Mason also said Gallen was trained by the best, Graham Shaw, and would not simply chase his opponent around the ring. “Gal’s a Hall of Fame rugby league player who, when you look at his boxing career, the people that he’s fought, he hasn’t ever ducked or dodged anyone,” Mason said.
The Sydney bout was reportedly arranged by promoters No Limit, who are said to have coaxed Gallen out of retirement with a lucrative bonus for finishing their unbeaten heavyweight. Green said Gallen has previously stopped several opponents, including former world champion Browne, and that there is every chance he could finish Asofa-Solomona by knockout.
Green also questioned whether Asofa-Solomona erred at Wednesday’s press conference by mentioning Gallen’s wife, a remark that ignited a heated back-and-forth between the two. Making his prediction, Green said: “I can’t get past the experience and junkyard dog mentality of Gallen.
I’m a big fan.” He added that if Gallen can get through the early rounds and shake off the rust, “he’ll be OK.”
Green said Asofa-Solomona has not been in a comparable position and has fought opponents with little experience, while Gallen has faced Huni and Kris Terzievski. “It’s a big difference, and if Gal gets through the early fire, I reckon he might f***ing hose him down,” Green said.
“I think Gal could stop him. He really could.”
Green also said Gallen’s boxing efforts had changed his thinking about rugby league players in the boxing ring. “Gallen’s changed my mind about rugby league players boxing,” he said.
“Because he really has been a professional fighter.” He added that he still believes there should be regulations for athletes entering combat sports.
Unlike some of Gallen’s critics, Green has no problem with the former NRL great’s reasons for returning from retirement. “People criticize him, say ‘oh, you’re only doing it for money’,” Green said.
“Then Gal laughs at them and says ‘correct’. I think that’s fantastic.”
