Joseph Parker to Rumble in Paradise 2016

Joseph Parker’s January 23 bout in Samoa will help restore the once proud boxing nation to its former glory, Samoa’s Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Hon Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Fatialofa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi believes.

“Boxing is a very popular sport here in Samoa,” said Tuilaepa during the fight announcement at the Samoa Cultural Village Fale in Apia on the 22nd of October, confirming the world title contender would fight in his parents’ homeland. Up until the 1980s, Samoan fighters dominated the medal count at the Pacific Games.

“Lupesoliai Joseph Parker’s presence would hopefully change that by inspiring a new generation of youngsters.” President of the naming rights sponsor, Samoa International Finance Authority (SIFA), Tuatagaloa Alfred Schwalger said Parker’s fight will be part of a national Samoan tourism push and provide another “huge adrenaline rush” for the country.

Parker described the chance to fight in the homeland of parents Sala and Dempsey - the father named after boxinglegend Jack Dempsey - as a dream come true.

“This is exciting. I have been fighting all around the world but it’s a dream for myself and my parents for me 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.

“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 Events, which sees the Samoa event as an important step towards its goal of staging Parker fights in the lucrative United States market.