Paul Gallen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona: Who Are the NRL Stars Fighting on November 6?

Verified: November 5, 2026, at 9:09 p.m. UTC (November 6, 8:09 a.m. in Sydney, AEDT, UTC+11:00).

Paul Gallen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are former rugby league forwards who became professional boxers. Gallen captained the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to their first NRL premiership in 2016; Asofa-Solomona won two premierships with the Melbourne Storm and represented New Zealand.

They are scheduled to meet in a five-round heavyweight boxing bout in Sydney on Friday, November 6, 2026. At Thursday’s weigh-in, Asofa-Solomona weighed 137.5 kilograms to Gallen’s 104.18 kilograms, according to ABC News. The matchup brings together Gallen’s longer boxing record and his opponent’s substantial size advantage.

Destaques

• Gallen played 348 first-grade games for Cronulla and captained the Sharks to the 2016 premiership.
• Asofa-Solomona played 215 games for Melbourne and won premierships in 2017 and 2020.
• ABC reported their pre-fight boxing records as 16-2-1 for Gallen and 3-0 for Asofa-Solomona.
• The main card is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Sydney time, AEDT (UTC+11:00), on November 6; that is 8:00 a.m. UTC.

Why are Paul Gallen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the news?

The two former NRL players are headlining a heavyweight boxing event at the TikTok Entertainment Centre in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. The NSW Government event listing identifies the venue at 14 Darling Drive and lists the event for November 6.

ABC reports that the main card begins at 7:00 p.m. AEDT. That is the start of the main card, not a confirmed ring-walk time for the headline fight; the exact timing of their bout can depend on earlier contests. The event listing says details are subject to change.

The pairing has attracted rugby league fans as well as boxing viewers because both men were prominent, physical forwards for clubs with a significant recent rivalry. They have also exchanged heated remarks in the lead-up. Whatever is said before the bell, the result will be settled in the ring.

Who is Paul Gallen?

Gallen, 45 at the time of the fight, is a former Australian rugby league international and one of Cronulla’s best-known players. A lock who could also play in the front row, he spent his first-grade club career with the Sharks from 2001 through 2019.

His defining club achievement came in 2016, when he captained Cronulla to its first premiership with a grand final victory over Melbourne. The Sharks’ career profile credits him with 348 first-grade games for the club, 24 State of Origin appearances for New South Wales and 32 Test matches for Australia.

Gallen also captained New South Wales to the 2014 State of Origin series win. State of Origin is the annual representative series between New South Wales and Queensland, a prominent fixture in Australian rugby league.

Alongside and after his football career, Gallen built a boxing career. ABC reported his record going into the Asofa-Solomona fight as 16 wins, two losses and one draw, with eight knockout wins. He returned for this bout after previously retiring from boxing; his 2025 victory over fellow former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams was his preceding high-profile appearance.

Who is Nelson Asofa-Solomona?

Asofa-Solomona is a former New Zealand international rugby league forward known for his size and forceful running. He spent a decade in Melbourne’s NRL team after joining the Storm as a junior, becoming a familiar presence in its forward pack.

When the club announced his release in October 2025, Melbourne Storm said he had played 215 games for the club and won premierships in 2017 and 2020. The club also noted his life membership. He represented the New Zealand national team, known as the Kiwis.

He moved into professional boxing after leaving Melbourne. ABC reported that he entered the Gallen bout with three wins from three fights, all by knockout. That is a much shorter boxing record than Gallen’s, but it explains why the former Storm player has quickly drawn attention in the heavyweight division.

How do the two athletes compare?

Both made their names in rugby league’s demanding forward positions, where carrying the ball into contact and making tackles are central responsibilities. Their football accomplishments, however, came with different teams and national sides: Gallen represented Australia and New South Wales, while Asofa-Solomona represented New Zealand.

Their boxing experience is also different. Gallen has had 19 professional bouts according to the record reported by ABC, compared with Asofa-Solomona’s three. At the weigh-in, Asofa-Solomona was about 33.3 kilograms heavier. Experience and weight are useful context, but neither statistic alone establishes who will win: movement, conditioning, defense and how each fighter handles the other’s punches will matter during the contest.

Gallen has described the fight as his return from retirement, while Asofa-Solomona has an opportunity to add a recognizable opponent to his early boxing résumé. A win would strengthen the winner’s case in the Australian crossover boxing scene, although any future opponent or career decision remains uncertain.

FAQ

When is Gallen vs. Asofa-Solomona?

The fight is scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, in Sydney. The main card begins at 7:00 p.m. AEDT (UTC+11:00), or 8:00 a.m. UTC; the headline bout follows the earlier fights.

Did Gallen and Asofa-Solomona play for the same NRL club?

No. Gallen played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, while Asofa-Solomona played for the Melbourne Storm.

How can viewers in Australia watch?

ABC reports that the event is available through Main Event on Fox Sports and Kayo as a pay-per-view broadcast. Check the provider for the current price and access details.