03-27-2017, 11:05 AM
Samoan Prime Minister indicates financial support for Joseph Parker's WBO title defence in Auckland
The Samoan government look set to again provide crucial financial support for Joseph Parker's WBO heavyweight title fight with Hughie Fury in New Zealand.
Parker defends his world boxing title for the first time against the big Brit in Auckland on May 6.
With no support from Auckland City's promotional arm ATEED or the New Zealand government, Duco Events are again turning to Parker's strong Samoan connections for help.
Samoa stepped in at the last minute to provide about $140,000 for Parker's last fight in Auckland when he won the vacant belt by beating Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland last December.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told the Samoan Observer his government is willing to seriously consider another financial injection.
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker visited the local Samoan villages when he toured the island after his world title win.
Duco Events co-owner David Higgins is heading to Apia to discuss the situation with the Prime Minister.
"I will meet with him and we will then discuss and talk about what's needed to be done," Tuilaepa told the Samoan Observer.
"We will discuss and go into details about how their preparations have been so far, ahead of the fight."
Tuilaepa felt it was important for Samoa to support Parker.
"The most important thing to me is (for Parker) to maintain and defend the title. It is a must that we support him so he can defend the title and hold on to it."
Samoa was given massive profile around Parker's last fight - both at the venue but, more importantly, on the New Zealand and international TV broadcast.
This fight against Fury will broadcast heavily into the UK and also around the world, enabling Samoa to again promote itself as a tourist destination.
Parker has Samoan parents and regularly holidays there.
He toured Samoa with his WBO belt in the aftermath to his win and in February he was awarded Samoa's Order of merit, the youngest recipient of the honour.
Parker has held one fight in Samoa during his unbeaten run over 22 professional fights.
Parker stands to earn around $2.4m for this fight after Duco Events won the purse bid to stage the bout at about $4.1m.
- Stuff
The Samoan government look set to again provide crucial financial support for Joseph Parker's WBO heavyweight title fight with Hughie Fury in New Zealand.
Parker defends his world boxing title for the first time against the big Brit in Auckland on May 6.
With no support from Auckland City's promotional arm ATEED or the New Zealand government, Duco Events are again turning to Parker's strong Samoan connections for help.
Samoa stepped in at the last minute to provide about $140,000 for Parker's last fight in Auckland when he won the vacant belt by beating Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland last December.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told the Samoan Observer his government is willing to seriously consider another financial injection.
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker visited the local Samoan villages when he toured the island after his world title win.
Duco Events co-owner David Higgins is heading to Apia to discuss the situation with the Prime Minister.
"I will meet with him and we will then discuss and talk about what's needed to be done," Tuilaepa told the Samoan Observer.
"We will discuss and go into details about how their preparations have been so far, ahead of the fight."
Tuilaepa felt it was important for Samoa to support Parker.
"The most important thing to me is (for Parker) to maintain and defend the title. It is a must that we support him so he can defend the title and hold on to it."
Samoa was given massive profile around Parker's last fight - both at the venue but, more importantly, on the New Zealand and international TV broadcast.
This fight against Fury will broadcast heavily into the UK and also around the world, enabling Samoa to again promote itself as a tourist destination.
Parker has Samoan parents and regularly holidays there.
He toured Samoa with his WBO belt in the aftermath to his win and in February he was awarded Samoa's Order of merit, the youngest recipient of the honour.
Parker has held one fight in Samoa during his unbeaten run over 22 professional fights.
Parker stands to earn around $2.4m for this fight after Duco Events won the purse bid to stage the bout at about $4.1m.
- Stuff