BRISBANE, Australia – Jeremy Latimore believes that his brief experience as a professional presents him with a “massive advantage” for Friday’s heavyweight contest with Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
There is little question that the Australian has been selection with Asofa-Solomona by promoters No Limit to be a high-profile loser on the occasion of Asofa-Solomona’s professional debut. That their match-up of former NRL players-turned-professional boxers is intended to showcase that the revered Asofa-Solomona is worth investing in and can succeed.
The New Zealander, 29, walked away from a lucrative NRL contract to prioritise a future as a heavyweight. That his first contest features on the pay-per-view undercard of Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is a reflection of No Limit’s hopes for him above all else.
Latimore has fought and won as a professional before, however, when defeating the little-known Alexander Ale in September 2024. While he recognises that Asofa-Solomona has physical advantages over him, he is confident of victory because he insists that he is the one who has already learned that fights can be won and lost in the mind.
“I feel like I have a massive advantage there,” the 39 year old told BoxingScene. “That first fight of me, and again, there was 1,000 there, and I walked out and all me mates were there singing me name, and I’m playing it up; got in the ring. ‘Go slow at the start; go slow at the start; build yourself into it.’ Obviously got too excited, went really hard in the first round; second round my legs went to granite. I was cooked. I don’t think anything can prepare you for that.
“A large majority of people expect Nelson to win. You’re gonna feel the pressure. I’ve been flogging myself – I am a bit older though. I’m 10 years older than him. But with that comes wiseness and experience. I’d like to think I’m so ready for this fight. I do have some question marks over him, but if I walk on to one of his right hands I don’t think there’ll be any question marks. That’s on me, getting up there and performing under the lights.
“Before I started taking boxing up I used to think it was an easy sport. One of me first sparring sessions me nose was across my face; I had two black eyes. This guy just kept jabbing me. I got frustrated. Footie players – we’re used to contact. Physical guys. We click. But boxing’s breathing; staying composed; picking your shots; defending; working hard, and not over-exerting yourself.
“I’m breathing a lot better and staying composed – I’m ADHD and I used to be very antsy. I used to just burn energy; I used to jump back a lot instead of just standing in the pocket. All that sort of stuff is helping my legs; I’m getting through the rounds a lot better than I used to. The more I’ve done it, I’ve got more composed.”
Latimore was then asked about how he has attempted to prepare for a fighter – and the biggest player in NRL history – there is so little footage of, and he responded: “There’s the [exhibition] fight with Jared Wallace on YouTube, so I’ve had a look at that. He’s a powerful guy, but he used to lock up on the footie field – Nelson does hit a wall. I know he’s gonna come out hard and fast at me. He’s gonna come out hard and fast. There’s not much footage of him; he hasn’t done 10, 20 fights; he hasn’t done amateur stuff; I’ve seen the Bali footage [of the street fight he was in; laughs].
“A lot of it’s just focus on yourself. I’m doing the game plan every day, so when the lights are on, legs go to granite, I can perform under pressure. That’s my plan.
“That’s what I miss about rugby league – going out and showing the world what we’ve worked on in training and competing with your mates.
“I just wish I did boxing from my early 20s. It would have helped my rugby league so much. I could put the cue in the rack, get fat, be lazy and talk about how I played a bit of footie. But I want to be an example to my kids. It’s so important to have that purpose and boxing gives me that. I’m just grateful to get this opportunity to fight on such a big card.
“We’re all very aware that’s the plan – they don’t want me to win – and I get that, ‘cause he generates a lot of interest; a lot of hype. He’s a big personality. But I like doing things my own way. I like proving people wrong.
“Massive respect [to him]. The fact he’s having a crack at boxing – it’s a scary sport, and I’m under no illusions with that. I do love the energy I get but there’s a bit of fear attached to that. If you win you’re the man but if you lose it’s embarrassing. For him to walk away from a club that played in the last two grand finals, I massively respect that. In the future, I hope he does really well.”
