A young Samoan man with a big future ahead of him in boxing is home for the holidays. And there is no other place Joseph Parker would rather be.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer yesterday, Parker vividly remembers that the only time he risked getting a box around the ears as a child was if he spoke English in front of his family.
Despite being raised in New Zealand, Parker says his first language was Samoan.
“Apart from my boxing career, Samoa is a place always in my heart wherever I am going,” he says. “It’s where my heart, my life, my ancestors belong.”
Success in the boxing ring all started from within his family, he says.
“At the age of twelve, I started to see my dad and his interest in boxing and that’s why I became addicted to boxing,” says Parker.
“Even though I was born and raised in New Zealand, growing up in a real Samoan family, and the culture, was something that my family values the most”.
Parker was born in South Auckland. He stayed with his family and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Mangere. He went to Marcellin College in Royal Oak.
Despite being raised overseas, Parker still speaks Samoan very well – surprising local media who started their questions in English yesterday.
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“I am so thankful because my parents never allowed me and my siblings to speak in English at home,” he says. “The only place that I could speak English was at school and with friends.”
He says his parents had “itchy ears” when they heard them speaking English.
“It was the number one rule in our family. It’s a challenge too to everyone especially the rising stars of Samoa.
“Value your culture, especially your language, do not lose it.”
His father John agrees and smiles when he hears his son speaking fluently.
And the language has helped his fighting Samoan spirit reach success.
Since turning professional in May 2012, Parker has had seven fights and won six of them by knock-out.
“I love boxing,” he says. He also defeated Francois Botha 'the white buffalo' on the 13th of June 2013 with a 2nd round knockout over the former four-time world heavyweight contender.
Botha gave him the nickname of 'Baby Joseph' but after the K.O. he said that "he is not Baby Joseph anymore, he's a big man".
But Parker is not letting the fame get to his head.
“Being a big man in the game is all through giving all your strength, body and mind but what is also very important to know is how to humble ourselves.”
He says that after his holiday here in Samoa, his next scheduled bout is against Brazilian Heavyweight Champion George Arias (53 wins; 11 losses) in March, 2014.
“I am ready.”
Parker is here for two weeks holidays and he will return to New Zealand on the 30th December.
He hails from the village of Faleula and Tapatapaō.
“Samoa is the place I belong.”
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