Matt Lodge, the North Queensland Cowboys prop and rising professional boxer, has issued a direct challenge to former Melbourne Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, suggesting the pair settle their rivalry in a cage fight to bring an end to Asofa-Solomona’s burgeoning boxing career.

The two athletes, who both have backgrounds in rugby league, are set to face each other in a boxing match following Asofa-Solomona’s scheduled fight against George Burgess this Wednesday night at Pat Rafter Arena. Lodge’s promoters, No Limit, have indicated that a bout between Lodge and Asofa-Solomona is being considered for December once the current NRL season concludes.

Lodge stated that Asofa-Solomona has verbally agreed to face him in the ring. Standing at 200 centimeters, Asofa-Solomona has won both of his professional boxing matches but came under scrutiny for his most recent win against former Queensland Origin player Jarrod Wallace, which was widely viewed as underwhelming. Meanwhile, Lodge remains undefeated in his two professional bouts and has expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Asofa-Solomona, dismissing the latter’s ambitions of securing an Australian heavyweight title.

“Hopefully George Rose (No Limit boss) can build a cage and throw us both in there,” Lodge said, referring to a potential cage fight scenario. “Put us in a cage and only one of us can come out. I would be happy to bash him and then I would give boxing away.”

Lodge, 31, suggested that his focus remains primarily on rugby league during the ongoing NRL season but indicated readiness to transition into full-time boxing afterward. He criticized Asofa-Solomona’s boxing approach, saying the former Storm star talks confidently but does not possess the necessary stamina or work ethic for long-term success in the sport.

While Asofa-Solomona’s right uppercut has drawn attention for its power, Lodge maintained that his own boxing skills and physicality pose a significant challenge. The potential clash would mark a high-profile showdown between two former NRL players now building second careers in professional boxing, adding intrigue to the rapidly developing Australian heavyweight boxing scene.