Paul Gallen v Nelson Asofa-Solomona LIVE updates: Former Cronulla Sharks star knocked out in first round

ASOFA-SOLOMONA KNOCKS OUT GALLEN IN ROUND ONE!

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No surprises about how this fight started.

Asofa-Solomona tried to make of that very sizeable reach advantage by flicking the jab.

Gallen, meanwhile, was trying get inside look for an opening that will allow him to work on the inside. The former Sharks skipper didn’t show enough respect for Asofa-Solomona’s power and got tagged late in the round.

In the last 15 seconds of the round, the Melbourne forward absolutely pumelled Gallen with a series of lefts and rights.

“The G-Train” has crashed to the canvas and still hasn’t gotten up. It’s all over.

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10.32pm

Gallen and Asofa-Solomona are in the ring. Moments away from fistic fury

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Nelson Asofa-Solomona is the first introduced to the crowd.

Plenty of boos for the former Melbourne forward, we could have a pro-Gallen crowd in the arena. Quality ring walk; “NAS” has got a rapper following him down the race. I’ve covered Asofa-Solomona all my career, but I’m still taken aback by his size - 201 centimetres, 139kg - every time I see him in person.

Gallen has just jogged into the ring.

Here we go, five three-minute rounds.

Who will emerge victorious?

10.22pm

Not the retiring type

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If this fight had occurred five or six years ago, I reckon Nelson Asofa-Solomona wouldn’t have lasted two rounds.

But Gallen is now 45 and well past his best. I can understand him coming out of retirement for the Sonny Bill Williams fight, an event that had been more than a decade in the making. But with his bank balance full full and his sporting legacy secured, there was nothing left to prove.

Technically, Asofa-Solomona isn’t half the boxer that Gallen is. But given he is 15 years younger, 33 kilograms heavier and has a huge reach advantage, “NAS” only needs one punch to land to end the fight.

All of these factors make it an intriguing battle at this point in their careers.

For what it’s worth, I’m tipping the fact they are three-minute rounds (there are only five of them) will play into Gallen’s favour. My fearless prediction: Gallen on points.

10.18pm

The prelims are over. Bring on the main event!

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We have gone the distance.

A clear points decision to Callum Peters over Juan Diego Ortiz, the judges scoring it 98-92, 97-93, 93 in favour of the Australian.

Peters maintains extends his undefeated record to 10, and this is just the second time he hasn’t scored a knockout.

Getting these rounds under his belt will be valuable experience as he prepares to take on more credentialled opponents.

10.07pm

Peters in control

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Callum Peters is doing this pretty easily.

He knocked Ortiz down in the fourth round, but the Columbian got back to his feet pretty quickly. I’m giving Peters just about every round, but Ortiz has shown landed a few decent shots of his own.

Only two rounds left, if this is to go the distance.

9.49pm

50 Cal in the ring

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We’re currently watching unbeaten local Callum Peters in action.

Peters is a middleweight of tremendous promise, having represented Australia at the 2024 Olympics. His opponent, Juan Diego Ortiz, is a 15-1 outsider, but has shown plenty of ticker and skill in the opening three rounds.

Gallen-NAS is on straight after this fight ends.

9.42pm

NRL types in the house

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Lots of Kangaroos stars here at the TikTok Arena, including Latrell Mitchell, Pat Carrigan, Harry Grant, Sam Walker, Lindsay Smith.

Australian coach Kevvie Walters has given them the night off before their World Cup semi-final against Samoa.

There’s a sprinkling of Jillaroos here as well.

9.27pm

One more fight until Gallen-NAS

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In proof that there isn’t a fight they won’t sanction on the Gold Coast, Reda’s reward for that win is another fight on December 13.

Given the amount of punishment he copped during such a willing contest, fighting again in just five months is madness. However, that’s boxing for you and Reda is poised to appear on the undercard to Tim Tszyu’s upcoming title fight.

“He tested me, we pushed through it and we’re stepping up,” Reda said after tonight’s win.

“We’re going on to bigger and better things.”

Up next … Callum Peters versus Juan Diego Ortiz.

9.17pm

And the winner is ...

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This one has gone the distance. And what a fight it has been.

It will be left to the judges to separate Reda and Wyllie. I reckon Reda may have just done enough to have his hand held up in victory.

Wyllie certainly believes he has done enough, raising his arms in victory after the final bell.

The judges have scored it 95-95, 98-92, 96-92 in favour of … Reda!

8.57pm

Good fight, this one

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There’s every chance that the best fights will be on the undercard.

Undefeated Ahmad Reda is halfway through his 10-round bout against Jake Wyllie.

Very little in this one, with both men landing significant shots.

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