Soliman, a mad Collingwood (and Richmond) supporter, has been friends with Maxwell and several other Collingwood players for several years. He trains at the Westpac Centre several times each year, and even trained at Victoria Park alongside the team when it was the club’s home base.
According to Soliman’s manager David Stanley, it’s the club’s character that drew him towards Collingwood.
“He’s a football tragic,” Stanley said on Thursday.
“He’s a big Collingwood fan and is very fond of the culture of the club. He loves the working man’s culture.”
Stanley said that Wood, Soliman’s opponent on February 19, comes from strong rugby league stock and will ensure that his man has a real challenge on his hands.
“Wood is as tough as nails. As a family, the Wood’s are like the Collingwood of NSW.”
Soliman is said to be the fittest 38-year-old in the country, and is an ambassador for Choices, a program that teaches adolescent boys to make the right choices in their lives such as walking away from violence or carrying weapons.
He joined Dane Swan at the Westpac Centre last year to launch the program.
Collingwood captain poses with good mate and Melbourne boxer Sam Soliman.
Maxwell and Soliman swap sports for the cameras at the Westpac Centre last Thursday.
