$1 million talks over Paul Gallen fight vs Nelson Asofa-Solomona confirmed, Fighting Words column, Liam Paro vs Lewis Crocker preview, latest news

George Rose has confirmed discussions are already underway for a blockbuster Australian crossover bout between Paul Gallen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona – with the NSW Origin great requesting a $1 million payday.

The declaration comes as Rose has also explained his decision to gamble $1.12 million on Australia’s Liam Paro on Wednesday night, stressing the Queenslander can earn himself “a trillion dollar valuation” by dethroning IBF welterweight champ Lewis Crocker.

Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker plus ex-NRL beasts collide as Nelson Asofa-Solomona faces George Burgess. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Only seven months into life as No Limit’s heavyweight poster boy, Asofa-Solomona is now looking to take his undefeated career start to three straight against George Burgess at Pat Rafter Arena.

Already, the fighter dubbed ‘Big Nasty’ has revealed a crossover hitlist that includes beating Burgess, then doing the same to North Queensland prop Matt Lodge, before eventually facing Gallen.

And while the Cronulla premiership hero announced his retirement after beating Sonny Bill Williams last year, Rose confirmed No Limit are now involved in what could prove to be seven-figure discussions.

“Although initially, Gal was demanding $4 million,” Rose joked to Fighting Words this week. “So it’s nice to see he has come down a little. Apparently, this is his discount price.

“And Gal, we know, has always been about the money. But I also know the only reason he’s throwing this figure at us is because he believes he can beat Nelson …”

Thoughts?

“Honestly, I’m surprised by it,” Rose continued. “And I do wonder exactly when the last time was that he saw Nelson on the flesh.

“Because I can tell you NAS is too big for Gal. He’s too strong for him. Too dangerous. But who knows? [Laughs] I’d also like to think that asking price might still come down a little … but we’ll see.”

BURGESS REVEALS SECRET RABBITOHS ‘FIGHT CLUB’

Despite there being almost no boxing footage of George Burgess, the hulking English Test great has been secretly throwing hands for years – including with South Sydney premiership coach Michael Maguire.

Speaking with Fighting Words on the eve of his heavyweight debut, Burgess has revealed how, during his playing days, Maguire had he and brother Tom regular skip weights sessions for a boxing workout.

During a game in Perth, it was also Madge who took Burgess for a private session with former world champion Danny Green, who will himself be working on Wednesday night’s Main Event broadcast.

Burgess revealed how, as part of his regular NRL training schedule, Souths assistant coach Dave Furner would each week take the Burgess twins across to Redfern PCYC for workouts.

“So when everyone else was doing an extra weights session, Furnsey would take us for boxing, focusing on footwork,” Burgess recalls. “Obviously playing as an NRL middle, you need to be good on your feet, well balanced, and ‘Madge’ would always tell Dave ‘get the twins to the gym and get them moving around’.”

Green, meanwhile, has also this week recounted the private session in which he trained both Burgess and Maguire, with the coach having approached him about the trio getting in some work while the Bunnies were in WA.

“We worked out in a gym at the oval where Souths trained,” Green said. “And I can still see my young bloke Archie, who was knee high to a grasshopper at the time, looking up at George like he was ‘The Incredible Hulk’.”

So as for what we can expect against NAS?

“Look, I don’t think we’re watching to see if George Burgess can box,” Green said. “We’re watching to see if George Burgess can fight.

“That’s why people will tune in, because they’re all asking ‘can this f***ing massive Burgess brother fight?’ Which is exciting. And just quietly, I reckon there would be few worse backyard fences to jump into than the Burgess household.”

PARO’S ‘TRILLION DOLLAR’ VALUATION

George Rose has backed his decision to gamble over $1 million on Liam Paro, joking the Queenslander will earn himself “a trillion dollar valuation” once he wins the IBF welterweight title.

Back in February, Fox Sports Australia revealed how No Limit had landed the nation’s biggest ever purse bid to secure Paro a shock title challenge in his own backyard – with their $1.12 million offer beating Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom by just $27,000.

“But I believe in Liam Paro,” Rose said this week.

“And that’s why we’re putting it all on the line. Because remember, we’ve come from nothing too. We’re not rolling in money but we believe in Liam Paro.

“And we believe having the fight in his backyard makes a massive difference. [Laughs] Plus once Liam Paro wins the IBF crown, he’s got a trillion dollar valuation. Rolly Romero, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia … they’re life changing fights, life changing money and life changing opportunity. A win gets him the belt, and the belt opens every door in that division.”

AUSSIE’S UNLIKELY CHARM FOR TITLE FIGHT

Liam Paro is drawing world title inspiration from an unlikely source – the large silver pendant, with LCP lettering, that’s been an unmistakeable constant around his neck right throughout fight week.

While politely declining to say how much the piece designed by Gold Coast jewellers Drip City is worth, Paro revealed the chain and pendant was purchased immediately after his 2024 title upset win over Subriel Matias.

“And it did cost a few pennies,” he grins. “A couple of years in wages for some people.

“But I always said that after I won a world title, I’d reward myself. Because before I could ever wear something like this, I had to feel worthy. And now, yeah, I do feel like I’m worthy of wearing it.

“Because this is my constant reminder what hard work gets you. And it’s also for my family. The C is for Cortez, my mum’s maiden name. She has Spanish heritage on her father’s side and I always represent both parents proudly.”

AUSSIE FIGHTER’S MESSAGE FOR ‘UNCLE’ EDDIE HEARN

Australia’s heavyweight king Stevan Ivic has offered up a simple message for UK promoter Eddie Hearn, who is requesting a showdown against his own hyped prospect Teremoana Teremoana.

“Uncle Eddie, I’ve seen the Netflix documentary,” Ivic laughed this week. “And you ain’t doing it tough. So put through something compelling and we can talk. I’m not opposed to getting a deposit down for a house …”

Having already spent 18 months as Australian heavyweight champ, Ivic will look to continue his undefeated career run when he takes on fellow Queenslander Caleb Tialu tonight.

The bout caps off what has been a crazy couple of months for the 35-year-old puncher, having welcomed baby daughter Nadia into the world with his partner Elizabeth.

And as for whispers of a potential August showdown against Teremoana Jnr, who Hearn is already touting as a future heavyweight champion?

“Look, I know he’s been calling me out,” Ivic said. “But until somebody sends me an offer, it’s all schoolyard talk. And I’m 36 years old, man. I don’t have time for that. So make an offer and we’ll look at it.

“Because Teremoana is definitely a formidable opponent. He’s an unreal fighter, has great skills, is a big guy like me who is fast and can box. So it would definitely be one hell of a fight.”

‘PUNCHES HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN AUSTRALIAN BOXING’

Australian cruiserweight Luke Modini has been branded the hardest puncher anywhere in the country, with No Limit promoter George Rose declaring his new signing’s power “a gift from the Gods”.

Apart from making his official debut as a No Limit fighter tonight, 28-year-old Modini will also be looking to continue an incredible run of finishes when challenging China’s Peng Qu for an IBF Pan Pacific title.

Apart from being undefeated in 13 fights, Modini has also stopped all but two rivals for a staggering 85 per cent finish rate.

“Honestly, his power is a gift from the Gods,” Rose told us. “You talk with anyone domestically and they’re all praising his knockout power. So far, he’s mown through everyone and we’re now ready to unleash him on the cruiserweight division.

“For Luke, it’s a division that is there for the taking too. And I’m incredibly confident of getting him up the ranks incredibly quickly. We want to take him to the top.”

‘BIG NASTY’S’ LAST WORD

There’s growing whispers suggesting Nelson Asofa-Solomona is set to go all in on his Russell Crowe impersonation if he beats George Burgess inside Pat Rafter Arena.

After arriving at the weigh-ins wearing a Gladiator mask, it has also been suggested the hulking Melburnian could potentially utter Crowe’s infamous “are you not entertained?” with victory inside the ring.

Elsewhere, there have also been suggestions Liam Paro’s fight kit could potentially double down on his ‘Croc Hunter’ moniker in the main event.