Nelson Asofa-Solomona accuses George Burgess of growing uncomfortable during their three face-offs over NRL Magic Round weekend and fears he may quit on their crossover blockbuster altogether.
‘He’s an actor’: NAS reveals Burgess quit fear as ‘ Croc Hunter ’ crowned, new fights announced at presser Nelson Asofa-Solomona has accused George Burgess of growing increasingly uncomfortable during their three face offs over NRL Magic Round weekend — and now fears the South Sydney premiership hero may quit on their crossover blockbuster altogether.
The declaration arrived late in an entertaining Monday press conference in Brisbane where – to officially announce Liam Paro’s hyped IBF welterweight title fight against Lewis Crocker – Burgess also declared himself ready to knock ‘Big Nasty’ out cold. The Rabbitohs Old Boy also then questioned Asofa-Solomona’s defensive abilities, and suggested he will need to have improved significantly from his previous wins over Jeremy Latimore and Jarrod Wallace.
Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker. | Elsewhere during proceedings, a pair of new nicknames were also unveiled for Australian boxing – including ‘The Croc Hunter’ – will promoters No Limit announced three more fights for the undercard of Paro’s hyped July 24 showdown.
, Australia’s longtime super featherweight favourite Liam Wilson will challenge Romania’s undefeated Alexandru Marin , while rising cruiserweight prospect Luke Modini faces China’s Peng Qu . The Pat Rafter Arena card will also include an exciting domestic heavyweight scrap between Demsey McKean and Liam Talivaa. Elsewhere, Asofa-Solomona also used the Brisbane media event to again take aim at Burgess as he looks to continue his hyped rise as the new king of Australian crossover boxing.
Only minutes after the former Bunnies enforcer declared himself ready to win via KO, the fighter dubbed ‘Big Nasty’ shrugged: “He’s an actor by trade, so I’m not too sure if he’s putting on an act.
“He was confident the other day, but the way he’s talking now? I’m not sure he is too confident .
“I have a lot of respect for George for chasing this fight. But I’m just not too sure if he’s confident.
“But end of the day we’re going to meet up in that squared circle … as long as he turns up June 24 I’ll be happy. ” Nelson Asofa-Solomona & George Burgess during their face off at Suncorp Stadium on May 16, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. “Oh, for sure,” the former Melbourne prop continued.
“As time goes on it does become real. “And there are a lot of people who have been great amateurs, but when they get to this level, they lose their legs on the walk to the ring. And who knows? Maybe that happens to George.
At which point Main Event MC Ben Damon asked Burgess for a response.
“I’ll be there,” he grinned. “I’ve put the work in and I’ll be putting more work in leading up to the fight. “I know how to regulate my emotions. I know how to breath and take on the big moments.
I’ll be ready for fight night. ” Earlier in proceedings, Burgess also revealed the fight name he will carry into his professional debut -- ‘Butch’ -- is a nod to his grandfather and his life as a feared English bareknuckle brawler.
“I know what I’m fighting for,” Burgess said. “I’ve got history in my family, and I’m paying homage to them. My granddad Butch, that will be my name … just paying tribute to him and those who came before him.
“I’ve always wanted to take a boxing fight. It’s been a big goal of mine to step away from being a football playing and test myself in what is the hardest sport in the world. ” Asked specifically about the NAS challenge, he continued: “We’ve played Tests against each other on the footy field. And now I want to test myself in the ring.
We’re a similar size, similar weight, it’s a good match up. ” Nelson Asofa-Solomona & George Burgess during their face off at Suncorp Stadium on May 16, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. Burgess also questioned his rival’s defensive deficiencies, using as an example his most recent outing against Jarrod Wallace.
“I thought Jarrod landed some good shots,” he shrugged, before adding of NAS: “Hopefully he improves in his next fight. ”“Yeah, his defence still needs work,” Burgess continued.
“But he’s only just started boxing, like myself. “We’re here to learn but we’re also not rugby players anymore. We’re stepping into the world of boxing and dedicating our lives to it … so hopefully you don’t see rugby players out there on June 24 but two boxers. ”Asofa-Solomona, meanwhile, also suggested the fact Burgess is on debut would count against him.
“All boxers know experience and momentum is the main thing,” he said. “And I truly believe my experience is going to prevail. That’s something George doesn’t have – experience -- and I’m going to use that against him. Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker.
|Elsewhere at Monday’s press conference, Paro revealed he will also be carrying a new nickname into his own push to become a two-weight world champion, having already secured IBF super lightweight gold in 2024. After being shown some pre-taped comments from Croker, the cameras panned pack to Paro who grinned: “The Croc.
“He’s got to be wary … he’s coming to the land of The Croc Hunter. Asked by Damon if Paro was now effectively taking the late, great Steve Irwin’s nickname for his world title blockbuster, and the man looking to become Queensland’s first ever two division king nodded.
“Oh, 100 per cent,” he grinned. “You’re never going to get the opportunity to fight the Croc in Australia. “But I’m also respectful. He’s earned his stripes and I’ll let him have them for now.
It’s going to be a cracker. ”“I leave everything in the ring. That’s the competitiveness I have in me.
“This is top level boxing. It doesn’t get any higher than this. And to be blessed enough, God willing, to secure a second world title in a second division it’s crazy.
“If I have to box his ears off for 12 rounds I will. And if that knockout is there, I’ll take it. If I have to fight with one eye I will … that’s all I’ve got in me and what I’ll bring to the table – effing fighting. ”
George Burgess Nelson Asofa-Solomona Croc Hunter Boxing Liam Paro Lewis Crocker Liam Wilson Alexandru Marin Luke Modini Demsey Mckean Liam Talivaa NRL Magic Round Australian Crossover Boxing
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