Police are investigating a ringside scuffle involving former NRL forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona after his knockout victory over Paul Gallen in a New South Wales government-backed boxing bout.
Asofa-Solomona climbed out of the ring after Friday night’s fight and confronted a spectator. He appeared to pull his punch at the crucial moment before officials escorted him from the venue.
A New South Wales Police spokesman said officers had spoken to the spectator involved and that the events outside the ring remained under investigation. No Limit, the promoter, declined to comment, while the Combat Sports Authority of NSW had also been approached.
Asofa-Solomona later apologised for his actions, alleging that the spectator had made an ape gesture and appeared to throw something towards him.
“I stood on the ropes, and it looked like someone threw something at me, so I just lost my temper,” he said. “As I said, if I could have my time back, I would handle it differently because that behaviour isn’t acceptable. At the same time, what that person did with that gesture isn’t acceptable either.”
He added: “The adrenaline was there, but I also don’t tolerate that kind of nonsense. Once I saw it, I just saw red. But like I said, if I could do it over, I wouldn’t do that again.”
Paul Gallen reassures fans after knockout defeat
Gallen was taken to hospital after the bout but sought to reassure supporters the following day, saying he was not experiencing symptoms of concussion.
“I’m all right. What do you do? I knew the dangers of the game,” the 45-year-old said.
“I’m fine. The kids are healthy, I’m healthy. I got paid … I slept fine, gotten up, I’ve eaten. I don’t have a headache, I’m talking ok.”
Gallen was floored after Asofa-Solomona landed a series of unanswered right hands, including at least one punch after the former New South Wales captain appeared to have been knocked out and was leaning against the ropes. He remained on the canvas for several minutes before recovering sufficiently to congratulate his opponent.
“With 15 seconds to go, I was winning the round, I felt sweet and then all of a sudden ‘bang’,” Gallen said. “I don’t regret it. I’ve done it now, I can’t change it. I’m fine.”
Gallen said the bout would be the final fight of his career, honouring a promise to his eight-year-old daughter. His boxing record finishes at 16 wins, one draw and three losses.
He is understood to have earned a seven-figure purse for the contest and said the financial reward, along with his love of boxing, meant he did not regret taking part.
Gallen’s sporting career also included 348 appearances for the Cronulla Sharks, 32 Tests for Australia and 24 State of Origin matches for New South Wales.
