It was widely reported that Asofa-Solomona, who has played for the Melbourne Storm throughout his entire career after debuting in 2015, was looking at other options after leaving the club in October.

Rugby union competition R360 was one of those options but the breakaway league has seen it’s start date set back to 2028, whilst Parramatta Eels also offered a reported $700,000 deal to the Kiwi international.

Super League was also reportedly on the table per The Daily Mail, who were among the first to confirm that Asofa-Solomona was making the move to boxing.

They reported: “Now the 115kg forward will reportedly shun rich deals from the English Super League to take up boxing instead.”

It’s unclear which clubs were in for the giant forward but at 29, there’s still plenty of rugby league left in him with the New Zealander not ruling out a return when speaking at a presser to confirm his new nine-fight deal with No Limit boxing promotions.

Asofa-Solomona has made 215 appearances for the Storm since his debut in 2015 but he’s now conceded that the sport started to feel ‘like a chore’.

Talking at the presser to confirm his new career path, the 29-year-old joked: “You can’t get sent off in boxing.”

“I woke up one morning and it felt like a chore, I had a great time in rugby league but ot’s the rollercoaster, I was on the rollercoaster too long and felt sick,” he explained, per The Daily Telegraph.

Despite not directly mentioning Super League, Asofa-Solomona referenced the European summer as one of the reasons why he walked away from the NRL, as he discussed his options and future.

“My big toe is still in the door. I never say never to nothing,” he admitted, adding: “I told every NRL club that I spoke to the same thing: my heart’s not in it right now, but never say never.

“They (R360) were interested, and I was interested as well, but in my mindset I was always going to have a rest and maybe just travel.

“We play and we miss the European summer, so I wanted to experience that.”

Of course, a Super League move would offer that and if Asofa-Solomona were to see out his three-year boxing deal and then have the rugby league itch return, a move to Super League aged 32, turning 33, could be viable.

He’s previously boxed against former Catalans Dragons man Jarrod Wallace and he’ll now have his second bout on the Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa card on January 16th.