‘Other fights to fight’: Parker breaks silence after alleged crime link
Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker was named yesterday as the sports star police allege is linked to a major international drug importation and supply conspiracy.
He has not been charged in relation to the case.
The former heavyweight champion fought to keep his name secret at several hearings in the High Court and Court of Appeal during the past two years.
Yesterday at 2pm, the Supreme Court ended Parker’s bid for secrecy after ordering his name suppression to expire.
The country’s top courton Thursday declined to grant him leave to appeal a decision by the Court of Appeal on October 16 which dismissed a challenge of an earlier High Court decision not to grant permanent name suppression.
The 29-year-old, who held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018, wanted to keep his identity hidden after prosecutors named him during the High Court trial of Tevita Fangupo, Tevita Kulu and Toni Finau in 2019.
Despite not being charged, the Crown alleged Parker played a role in the importation of methamphetamine by transporting and changing currency.
Yesterday, Parker broke his
silence, speaking of the “stress and worry” of his name-suppression case and maintaining he has never been involved with methamphetamine or the importation of drugs.
Parker said he and his family had been placed in a “terrible position”. “This has been going on for ages now, and it takes a toll,” said Parker in a statement, provided by his lawyer Michael Heron
QC. “I haven’t been charged with anything and it doesn’t feel right that my name will be connected to matters I’ve had no chance to defend myself against.”
He said he could not imagine anyone in his position not wanting to seek name suppression.
“It’s a terrible position to be in,” he said. “Things have been said about me that are quite untrue; some of them have already been proven untrue, and I was given no chance to respond at the time they were made.
“It’s caused a lot of stress and worry for myself and my family — and it just seems totally wrong.
“Having said that, I need to accept the decision and get on with my life. I have other fights to fight.”
Parker is in the UK, having flown out last weekend to start preparations for his expected next bout, against Derek Chisora, possibly in early May. Parker beat fellow Kiwi Junior Fa at Spark Arena earlier this month.
Heron said Parker and his legal team “respectfully acknowledge and accept” the court decisions that had led to name suppression lapsing, “whilst disagreeing with them”.