Heavyweight boxing contender Joseph Parker plans to follow in the steps of the All Blacks and take his talents to Samoa.
The world's sixth-ranked heavyweight is lining up a fight in Apia in January.
Parker (15-0 with 13 KOs) was born in Auckland but has a strong connection to Samoa, where he is a national sporting hero. Such is Parker's status that in his last trip to the island nation in December he and his promoter David Higgins were made High Chiefs.

They met Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Neioti Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi to discuss staging a bout in the homeland of his parents, Dempsey and Sala.
"The dream was that their son might one day fight for the heavyweight title," Higgins said. "Right now, that seems to be on track and they are watching their dream come true. In terms of giving back to Samoa, they'd love to have a fight up there."
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