'Ready to die': Footy fight ignited by Gladiator taunt to rile Burgess
Nelson Asofa-Solomona brought the drama and a touch of Hollywood mockery to Tuesday’s heavyweight weigh-in before his bout with George Burgess, taking a cheeky swipe at his opponent’s famous connections.
Donning a Gladiator-esque mask to poke fun at Burgess’ close friendship with Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, Asofa-Solomona then asked if the former South Sydney Rabbitohs enforcer was “ready to die” in the ring.
George Burgess and Nelson Asofa-Solomona face off. Chris Hyde
Earlier in the week, Burgess revealed that Crowe had actually urged him against making his heavyweight debut, advising him to focus on his burgeoning acting career instead.
For Asofa-Solomona, that revelation was a taunt gifted on a silver platter.
“He’s said Russell Crowe doesn’t back him in boxing,” Asofa-Solomona said to Fox Sports.
“And I think we’re going to see why.
“Maybe he doesn’t have the skills, [but] Russell Crowe doesn’t back him for a reason.”
Reflecting on his weigh-in stunt, Asofa-Solomona said, “I told him Russell Crowe was going to make an appearance.”
“And he’s come through. Maximus Decimus Meridius was up there … it wasn’t Nelson.”
The mask was a direct dig at Burgess’ upcoming film Beast, where he is set to share the big screen with Crowe.
Burgess remained unfazed by the theatrical sledge.
“He’s clutching at straws a bit,” he said.
“Someone probably told him to do it.
“And he’ll need that mask in the ring. Unfortunately though, he can’t bring it in there.”
Burgess is making his long-awaited pro debut and weighed in at 135.84kg. Asofa-Solomona was slightly heavier for the heavyweight grudge match at 139.32kg.
While the mask created some theatrical comedy into the pre-fight build-up between the two former NRL enforcers, the banter quickly turned serious.
The two exchanged a grim ultimatum, asking one another if they were “ready to die” in the ring.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona's mask was a cheeky sledge at Burgess' Hollywood ties. Chris Hyde
NAS made it clear he was fully prepared for the stakes.
“It’s do or die out there,” the former Melbourne Storm player said.
“It’s give or receive. If you’re willing to kill, you’ve gotta be willing to die.”
The two are set to fight on Wednesday night as a curtain-raiser to the world title fight featuring Australian Liam Paro and undefeated Lewis Crocker.
The fight will be hosted by Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena on Wednesday, beginning at 5pm AEST.
