Bob Mirovic reveals how Paul Gallen can beat Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Bob Mirovic knows what it’s like to look across a boxing ring at a giant.

Long before Paul Gallen signed up to fight Nelson Asofa-Solomona, the former Australian heavyweight star was trading punches with Nikolai Valuev — the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.

Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.

The seven-foot Russian was never stopped or knocked down in his professional career. Mirovic went eight rounds with him in Germany in 2003.

So when it comes to big challenges, he knows a thing or two.

And his advice?

Take a little inspiration from Mike Tyson.

Mirovic, who spent time as Tyson’s sparring partner, believes 45-year-old Gallen has the fitness, boxing ability and work rate to overcome the former Melbourne Storm enforcer’s imposing physical advantages when the pair meet in Sydney on November 6.

“Gal has to be prepared to avoid the big punches for a few rounds,” Mirovic told Fox Sports Australia.

“I think Gallen needs to adopt a Mike Tyson kind of way of fighting, when he is in close just throw hard, fast punches and lots of them.

“I believe Gal’s work rate and boxing ability will be too much for Nelson.

“I think Gal will stop Nelson.”

It is a prediction that echoes Gallen’s own idea of how the fight will play out.

The former NSW Origin captain has acknowledged Asofa-Solomona’s power, but believes the hulking Kiwi will struggle with the pressure coming back at him.

“At the end of the day, he’s a puncher’s chance,” Gallen said.

“He’s a big bloke with a punch.

“We understand that, but if he doesn’t get me something big, the pressure I will put him under, it’ll be too much, and I’ll expose him.

“We’ve got no doubt about that.”

Big Nasty, however, insists his physical attributes will present a challenge the Sharks legend has never experienced.

“He hasn’t faced anyone like me,” said NAS.

“Thirty years old, six foot seven, 135 kilos, Polish and Samoan power.

“He hasn’t felt nothing like this. Trust me.”

For Mirovic, the key to overcoming that threat starts with distance.

“Gal has to know the fighting range, he has to know exactly where he needs to be on the outside where Nelson can hit him and be prepared to be ready to come in fast and attack Nelson when he misses his punches,” Mirovic said.

“It’s only a matter of 6 inches distance where Gal is out of range and a quick step in and Gal can attack and hit him with a flurry of punches.”

Getting inside, however, is only part of the battle.

Gallen is more concerned about whether NAS will let him work once he gets there.

Speaking on The Punch Podcast this week, the former Sharks captain played down the size difference, pointing to his experience against taller opponents.

“Sonny Bill Williams was 6’4, Barry Hall was tall, Kris Terzievski was reasonably tall,” Gallen said.

“Fighting him is not going to be a problem.

“Nelson’s going to hold me when I get in. You can’t hold. You’re not allowed to hold in boxing… you can’t intentionally hold and he’s openly said to everyone (that he will).

“I just hope the combat sports authority knows that. They watch it. If he intentionally holds, they deduct points.

“Otherwise I’ll punch him in the nuts or I’ll headbutt him.”

And while Gallen has spent several years away from the boxing ring, Mirovic is confident his conditioning will hold up.

“Gallen has proved he’s a capable fighter and is always in great condition,” he said.

“Even though Gal hasn’t fought for a few years, he’s still been training.

“I’m sure that Gallen will be in top shape and he knows his fitness will be the advantage.”

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NAS has been the more active boxer, but Mirovic questions whether his opposition has prepared him for what Gallen will bring.

“It’s going to be an interesting fight. Nelson has been active but he’s not fought anyone of quality or anyone who’s fit,” he said.

“This is the first time that Nelson has faced a real fighter.”

Mirovic expects that difference to tell once Gallen gets past the early danger and starts making the bigger man work.

The challenge will be getting close enough to prove him right.