Parker won by far

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 15 December 2016, 12:00AM

There is no question about it. Lupesoliai Laauliolemalietoa Joseph Parker is the undisputed champion of the World Boxing Organisation (W.B.O).

That’s according to Members of Parliament from Samoa who attended the fight at Vector Arena on Saturday night.

The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, who introduced the fight on behalf of Prime Minsiter Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, said there is no question in his mind about who won the bout.

 “My own view as a sportsperson is that Parker deserves the win,” Loau told the Samoa Observer.

“From the corner we were standing, we believe that Parker took at least 7 rounds and Ruiz won four and one was a draw. If you look at the punches from Ruiz, it hit Parker here (on his palm) it didn’t quite hit Parker.”

Loau added that it was an honour for him to speak on the night and a humbling experience for him to encourage the son of Samoa that fought and took Samoa to the top.

Minister of Communications, Information and Technology, Afamasaga Rico Tupai agrees. 

Afamasaga who was also in Auckland for the fight, said the win was quite clear. 

“It was the first minute of the last round when we started calling out to Parker to stay away from Ruiz because we knew he won the fight,” said the Minister. 

“It was obvious (Parker won). Even though Ruiz moved forward and was aggressive but he got hit constantly by the jabs from Parker and that was enough.”

“Parker’s promoter said that it was a fair and square win and that is how we saw it too. It was a bit disappointing to wake up in the morning and to hear people saying that Ruiz should’ve won.”

Afamasaga said the win from Parker really put Samoa on the map and on top of the world. 

The Minister dealt with Duco Events in organizing the advertisements for Samoa and the presentation. 

According to him, Samoa paid peanuts for such a big exposure. The government invested US$100,000 in the fight.  

“The exposure we received is nowhere near what we paid for,” said Afamasaga. 

“We had received exposure in other things but boxing is a different game altogether. It’s being aired around the world, viewed by millions of people. 

“We didn’t get any money back but our mileage was huge in terms of tourism and the economy.”

 Associate Minister of M.C.I.T., Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi shared the same view. 

He commended the government for sponsoring Parker. 

“Samoa Tourism Authority spends about $5million a year to advertise Samoa overseas and compared to the fight it was a lot less but the exposure of Samoa reached millions of people,” he said. 

“I believe Parker’s fight helped Samoa in many areas like tourism and our economy.” 

 About Parker’s win, Lealailepule said people had to take in to consideration that Ruiz also had not lost a fight in his career. 

“For people like us we want Parker to knock out his opponent in the ring,” he said. 

“But this guy had not lost a game in his life and Parker has been technical. He has his own style of boxing and a win is a good thing…that was the goal is to win not to kill someone in the ring.” 

The M.P. compared the fight to that of David Tua and Lenox Lewis. 

“The only thing that Lenox wanted was to win not a knock out. But us that like heavyweight we are always looking for that killer punch.”

Leala said he was satisfied with the win. 

He pointed out it was a tight fight and Parker won fair and square. 

“Ruiz was up close and aggressive while Parker was patient and played on point.” 

 

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 15 December 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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