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 into yet another NRL Grand Final on Friday night following a thumping 38-4 victory – will don the gloves against Titans veteran Jarrod Wallace.
Zerafa revealed to Daily Mail Australia he trains in the same gym as the towering Kiwi international, and backed the 27-year-old to win his debut bout.
‘He is an absolute unit, I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side,’ Zerafa said.
‘I’m good mates with Nas, it has been a pleasure to see 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 in the same Melbourne gym as the Storm enforcer
Zerafa labelled his close friend a ‘unit’ and tipped the Kiwi international to win his debut bout against Titans veteran Jarrod Wallace
‘I’m sure he will be disappointed that his [NRL] footy is over for this season, but he can’t dwell on it too much, he has to change his focus.
‘From what I’ve seen, he is 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 fighting include Eels front-rower Junior Paulo, the recently retired Tevita Pangai Junior plus former greats Justin Hodges and Matt Cooper.
Meanwhile, Storm coach Craig Bellamy says it is time for Melbourne to learn from Penrith, who marched into their fourth successive Grand Final.
He labelled Ivan Cleary’s men the benchmark of the competition and believes it will take a special performance from either the Broncos or Warriors to deny them a historic three-peat of titles.
‘They are so good at what they do,’ Bellamy said. ‘They know what works for them and what their job is and they are so consistent.
‘We just seem to go up and down, sometimes we’re good and then not so good and that’s what we need to learn to do.’
The only place to watch the complete card of Battle On The Reef on October 7 is Stan Sport.