Boxing: Samoan government continue to financially back Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker's next fight is likely to be against Englishman Hughie Fury in early April at a venue which is dependent on funding.

The Samoan prime minister has told Joseph Parker's promoters that he will recommend taxpayers' money be used to help fund the heavyweight world champion's first title defence.

On the day that Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi announced that there will be a half-day holiday on Wednesday in recognition of Parker's victory over Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr - but for government workers only - Tuilaepa said his government would continue to financially support Parker's career.

Parker's next fight is likely to be against Englishman Hughie Fury in early April at a venue which is dependent on funding.

The Samoa government wrote a cheque for about $140,000 for Parker's last fight at Auckland's Vector Arena, funding which made them the official tourism partner of the bout that was screened to a worldwide television audience. New Zealand's local and central government did not want to be involved, but Tuilaepa said he could see that changing now that Parker, whose parents Sala and Dempsey were born in Samoa, was a world champion, and that he would be happy to lobby on behalf of Duco Events.

"We have worked together with Duco not just once but several times and I do not see any reason why not," he said today in a media conference held after Parker's arrival in Apia yesterday when asked with Samoa's financial support would continue.

"All of our people here were full of praise for the decision my cabinet made in support. Also the Samoans in New Zealand and the Samoans in Australia [were happy]."

Earlier, in a meeting in his office with Parker and his parents and promoter David Higgins, Tuilaepa told the assembled guests: "Welcome to Samoa, the land of the champs."

Parker's achievements will be celebrated in a parade at lunch time on Wednesday.

Tuilaepa said: "This may never happen again in, but we have the opportunity to recognise the great achievement that no one over the last 100 years would have dreamt that a citizen of New Zealand and Samoa would win a championship belt, especially the most important belt, the heavyweight belt, won by the likes of Joe Louis, Cassius Clay and Floyd Patterson."

He said 24-year-old Parker, who was born in Auckland, would be recognised in Samoa's "Hall of Fame" and in February's honours list.

Tuilaepa, who posed for pictures alongside Parker with the WBO belt draped over a shoulder, pre-empted the question about why only government workers would get a half day off on Wednesday by saying: "The reason is we want the business to grow, to continue for future boxing tournaments.

"This has been the concern of the private sector - that we have too many public holidays - so this is one public holiday that we're going to restrict to government employees only while allowing our private sector people to keep on working and slugging it out for the future of boxing in Samoa."

Asked how much Samoa would have to spend for the right to host a fight, Higgins said: "They would have to spend a few million dollars, realistically, but on the other hand millions of dollars would come in ... you'd look at the business case and that's a decision for the government, but we'd certainly would be interested in talking about it."

Parker's fight against Ruiz Jr coincided with the election of Auckland's new mayor Phil Goff, who was wary about committing ratepayers' money to the event.

Tuilaepa felt there was a different appreciation for the sport in the islands. "I just think they didn't have the same sort of understanding of boxing ... there are many people in New Zealand who don't like the sport [it's like] bashing, and a lot of people don't like that.

"We understood where the decision might have come from but I think it [won't be] the same again. I think next time around you will find it [financial support]."

Parker, humbled to receive a hero's welcome, ducked one question from a local reporter, who asked: "Would you consider a tattoo now that you are a great warrior?"

Parker replied: "I'd have to talk to my mum first."

* Patrick McKendry travelled to Apia with assistance from Duco Events.