Boxing: January bout likely for Parker in Samoa

Heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker and promoter David Higgins in Samoa in December. Photo / Supplied

Contest will be first time the island nation stages a major international boxing event.

Heavyweight boxing contender Joseph Parker plans to follow in the steps of the All Blacks and take his talents to Samoa.

The world's sixth-ranked heavyweight is lining up a fight in Apia in January.

Parker (15-0 with 13 KOs) was born in Auckland but has a strong connection to Samoa, where he is a national sporting hero. Such is Parker's status that in his last trip to the island nation in December he and his promoter David Higgins were made High Chiefs.

They met Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Neioti Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi to discuss staging a bout in the homeland of his parents, Dempsey and Sala.

"The dream was that their son might one day fight for the heavyweight title," Higgins said. "Right now, that seems to be on track and they are watching their dream come true. In terms of giving back to Samoa, they'd love to have a fight up there."

The inspiration for the fight came from having worked with former contender David Tua ahead of his 2012 victory over Shane Cameron in the Fight of the Century, Higgins said.

"It became apparent to me truly how big boxing is in Samoa. That fight stopped the nation."

Higgins said Samoa would rate as the finest boxing nation on the planet in terms of fighters produced per head, but - much like the All Blacks until earlier this year - the island had not staged a major international boxing event.

"Forgive the pun but Samoa punches massively above its weight in the world of boxing. But despite that they've never had a major international promotion there. David Tua did not fight in Samoa as a professional."

The fight would be beamed into New Zealand, Australia and the United States, where Parker is gaining a significant following.

Staging a fight in Samoa would be significantly more expensive than in New Zealand but Higgins was optimistic Duco's corporate partners would help make it happen.

"An average fight night can cost a million dollars and then to do it offshore the cost goes up. It's a matter of getting our partners together and everyone making it happen.

"With the support of the Samoan Government and some private business in Samoa plus the support of our regular partners Sky Television and Burger King, I think we can make it happen. We are going to give it our best shot. It will be an adventure."

Higgins, who is travelling to Samoa on Monday to continue planning for the event, said it would double as celebration of Samoa's boxing history and heritage.

The fight is likely to be held indoors because of the risk of bad weather, but would be paired with an outdoor weigh-in and public event.

"I don't think there is much point going there unless we are going to make it as accessible as possible," Higgins said. "It will be a big deal for the people of Samoa and it should have happened by now. We got our heads together with Team Parker and we are going to have a crack at making it happen."