Nelson Asofa-Solomona landed a massive knockout win over fellow rugby star Paul Gallen today in Sydney, but the headlines came outside the ring.

Both of the heavyweights are known more for their performances on the pitch, but have since donned the gloves. There was a massive experience difference between the two, with Gallen boxing 19 times as a professional to his opponent’s three and even beating former UFC star Mark Hunt.

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However, that ring-time gap was nothing compared to the monstrous chasm in size between the duo. Asofa-Solomona is 6’7 and tipped the scales at more than 303lb, while 5’10 Gallen was just shy of 230lb when he weighed in.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona appears to punch fan after Paul Gallen KO

Once Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Paul Gallen stepped in the ring tonight, it became apparent quickly that it was a dangerous mismatch. Within the first round, Gallen was viciously knocked out and required assistance after lying on the canvas for minutes on end.

Asofa-Solomona looked better than his four fights of experience would indicate, and he clearly wasn’t happy with just fighting in the ring. Seconds after his win, he jumped out of the ring and into the crowd, throwing a punch before heading back for the official decision.

It was unclear what exactly had happened during the official FOX Sports broadcast, but he later clarified that he was enraged by what he heard to be a racial slur. “I want to apologise to everyone for that. I just got in the middle of the heat of the moment,” Asofa-Solomona told the Australian Associated Press.

“I hope you guys can understand. There’s been a big build up, and I should not behave like that. I’m sorry.” In a later interview, he expanded, adding: “Someone was doing an ape gesture. I stood on the ropes and it looked like someone threw something at me.

“If I had my time back, I would, because that’s not on. But what that guy did to me, in terms of that gesture, is not on either… I’d just seen red.”