The jubilant heavyweight boxer, Lupesoliai Laauli Joseph Parker, could have had a sour end to his Rumble in Paradise journey last month.

The 24-year-old from Tapatapao and Faleula was involved in a car crash during the week he stayed back for a holiday, after he knocked out his American opponent, Jason Bergman. 

The crash was confirmed by Police Spokesperson, Su’a Muliaga Tiumalu, who said Lupesoliai was a passenger.

 “He was a passenger on that night and someone else was driving,” said Su’a. According to Su’a, the incident could have been fatal.

 “The car they came in that night had a faulty tyre and it blew out,” he said. “The driver lost control of the vehicle and it crashed.” Su’a said the rental vehicle was damaged extensively.“But we understand that the matter had been sorted before Parker and his family returned to New Zealand.”

Lupesoliai spent a week in Samoa after the Rumble in Paradise bout. It was the beginning of a break before he returns to Las Vegas for training.