Samoa has declared a half day public holiday tomorrow to celebrate WBO Heavyweight Champion Lupesoliai Laauli Joseph Parker’s victory.
The champ arrived in Samoa Sunday Samoa time to nothing short of a hero’s welcome.
Talamua online reports it was a noisy Sunday with children, women, flag carrying tattooed men, church ministers, cabinet ministers and e chiefs and orators in traditional regalia lining the road from the airport to town.
They stopped traffic for congratulatory speeches and prayers.
Banners flowed across the road with welcoming messages for “the champion” and “warrior”.
The motorcade stopped many times, as Parker left the car to shake the hands of the ordinary whom he felt he represented and helped stage the fight in his home city in Auckland.
Accompanied by his parents, the champ saluted the Samoan people for their support. He said he will always be grateful to the people and Government of Samoa, for supporting him in his quest for the WBO belt, and he is here to thank Samoa for that support.
Asked during the brief press conference at the Faleolo International Airport why the Auckland Council did not help him, and he said he was not sure.
“No hard feelings, not sure why they didn’t back me, but I was lucky Samoa backed us up,” said La’auli.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele’s government fronted up more than $100,000 for Parker’s bout which he won against Mexican American Andy Ruiz in Auckalnd, a week ago.
