A strong Samoan support crew is expected to be cheering on Joseph Parker in tonight's WBO world heavyweight boxing fight against Romanian Razvan Cojanu.
Razvan Cojanu (L) and Joseph Parker face off during a press conference ahead of the WBO world heavyweight championship boxing title fight scheduled for May 6. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Samoa government paid promoters Duco Events US$100,000 to help ensure Parker's first title defence would be held in New Zealand.
A late change in opponent has also led to a change in venue, from the 12,000 seat Spark Arena in central Auckland to the Vodafone Events Centre in Manakau, which seats 3,000.
Samoa's Sports Minister, Loau Keneti Sio, said that was good news for Pacific fans.
"I hope that they will all be coming up, hopefully be there to support the sons of Samoa, give him support," he said.
"Actually it's a good venue - as you know that most of the Pacific people are living down in South (Auckland) so hopefully they will come out."
Joseph Parker was awarded an Order of Merit in Samoa following his WBO title win last year and visited Apia with his championship belt.
Loau said Parker's success means a lot in Samoa.
"How many sons that can do this: getting to the world title and have the world champion with the WBO belt? Hardly, you know? Once in a million, in a way, so we've got to celebrate and make sure that we give him support," he said.
"Raising the flag and having the national anthem inside the ring, that will do to tell the whole world that he's from actually his ancestors and he's got (Samoan) blood and he's part of our community and he is our son in a way."
Joseph Parker goes into the bout with a pro record of 22 wins, 18 by knockout.
