New Zealand heavyweight boxer joseph Parker on a family property near Apia Samoa. Photo / Supplied
New Zealand heavyweight boxer joseph Parker on a family property near Apia Samoa. Photo / Supplied
Joseph Parker's January 23 bout in Samoa will help restore the once proud boxing nation to its former glory, the country's prime minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi believes.
"Boxing is a very popular sport here in Samoa," he said at a press conference confirming the world title contender would fightin his parents' homeland. Up until the 1980s, Samoan fighters dominated the medal count at the Pacific Games. Sadly, that heyday has passed.
"It has become an embarrassment," Mr Melielegaoi said. Parker's presence would hopefully change that by inspiring a new generation of youngsters.
Parker's fight will be part of a national Samoan tourism push and provide another "huge adrenaline rush" for the country, Alfred Schwalger of Rumble in Paradise naming rights sponsor Sifa said.
Joseph Parker and trainer Kevin Barry with the Samoan Prime Minister. Photo / Steve Deane
Parker described the chance to fight in the homeland of parents Sala and Dempsey - the father named after boxing legend Jack Dempsey - as a dream come true.
"This is exciting. I have been fighting all around the world but is a dream for myself and my parents to be fighting in Samoa. Samoa is part of who I am and part of my culture and I want to give back to my people," he said.
Parker's opponent has not been named but his handlers revealed the fight would be the first time he faces a southpaw (left hander boxer), which would make it a challenging assignment.
Joseph Parker with Va'asilifiti Moelagi Jackson. Photo / Steve Deane
"We have to be very careful with the steps that we take with him and that is a big step," trainer Kevin Barry said.
"The timing is perfect for Joseph to come here. It is something that we have talked about for a long time and means a great deal to Joseph's parents Sala and Dempsey and his uncles."
It will be the fourth time Parker has fought overseas but the first time the fight promotion will be run by Duco, which sees the Samoa event as an important step towards its goal of staging Parker fights in the lucrative United States market.
