The New Zealand-Samoan heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker reckons close to half the crowd will be family when he fights in Apia in January.
His opponent is yet to be named but promoters says he will face a left-handed fighter for the first time.
The 23 year old was born in Auckland but his parents are from Samoa and the family still owns a house 30 minutes from the Faleata Sports Complex, where the fight will take place.
Joseph Parker beat Kali Meehan by TKO Photo: Photosport
He says Samoa is a part of who he is and bringing a fight to the Pacific is something he's always wanted to do.
"It's been a long while since we've been planning it but I think this is the appropriate time to do it. The higher we climb the ranks the harder it will be to bring it back here and it just means a lot to us. My parents were born here in Samoa [and] I come here every year for a holiday and to relax here so to bring a big fight back here will be just saying thank you to those who live here for their great support".
Joseph Parker will put his unbeaten record on the line next month in the Fight for Life before turning his attention to the 'Rumble in Paradise'.
