Transcript
LOAU KENETI SIO: If he doesn't go through with this fight so you won't be continuing in a way because he also has limited resources but we can see that he has got a big future and not only that but he will have the exposure and will carry the flag for Samoa, in a way, so we are looking into that financially that we need to support him at the moment.
VINNIE WYLIE: For this fight - his first title defence - it was to be against Hughie Fury and the cabinet approved funding of US$100,000, I believe. The opponent has of course since changed - he's now taking on a Romanian fighter - but has that changed anything in regards to Samoa's contribution?
LKS: No, not that I know, because we haven't met again and had a decision on that but I'm in a position that we still remain with the decision that we had to support him in a way. Even though the opponent has been changed that doesn't mean we're going to back off from there because even though his opponent has been changed he needs to fight so we need to support him in a way.
VW: The fight has been moved from central Auckland to South Auckland which of course has a very strong Polynesian community - many Samoans that live there as well. I guess that's even better that a lot of the Samoan and Polynesian community that support Joseph Parker will be able to go out and watch him?
LKS: I hope that they will all be coming up, hopefully be there to support the sons of Samoa, give him support. 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.
VW: And you were with Joseph Parker when he came back to Apia, back to Samoa, after winning the world title. What did that mean for the country - not just the victory but also him coming back and showing his thanks to the Samoan people?
LKS: I would say it means a lot to us. 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.
VW: With the funding that's been given by the government - the US$100,000 - what does that go towards? Is there going to be advertising at the venue (for) tourism in Samoa, that sort of thing?
LKS: 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.
