Parker’s mate banned from US

A member of the champion heavyweight’s inner circle was held for 23 hours without sleep, proper meals or legal advice after being stopped at LA, writes Steve Kilgallon.

A key member of Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker’s entourage has been banned from the US for five years after being refused entry at Los Angeles.

Parker and his manager, David Higgins, are demanding explanations for the treatment of Sione Mafi Fuavao, who is related to Parker by marriage.

Fuavao was held for 23 hours in a communal cell at the airport last month with no meals, opportunity to sleep, or chance to consult a lawyer or contact family before being turned around.

He says videotaped confession that he would work illegally while in the US is untrue and was coerced from him after over four hours of interviews.

Fuavao, 37, a Tongan citizen and

New Zealand permanent resident, is Parker’s videographer, runs his YouTube channel, and sometimes acts as security – including wading in to protect Parker when a pre-fight press conference with British boxer Hughie Fury turned fiery.

He’s among a close group who walk to the ring with Parker at every fight.

Fuavao quit his job to become the full-time caregiver for his 21-year-old brother Samson, who has cerebral palsy, and describes attending Parker’s fights as his escape from everyday life.

He was flying to the US for an extended five-month stay, in part to include Parker’s February 29 fight against Shawndell Winters in Frisco, Texas, when he was detained by border officials. He had secured a B1/B2 visitor visa with a 10-year limit, after an interview at the US Consulate in Auckland. He also visited the US twice last year without issue.

Fuavao intended to stay with an aunt in California, and also spend time with a new Americanbased

agirlfriend. She and his family were both waiting for him at the airport.

‘‘The first couple of hours I was shocked and confused,’’ he said of his detention. ‘‘Then as it went on, it was more scary surrounded by all these people I didn’t know … and when I knew I was close to getting deported, I was actually looking forward to coming back and seeing familiar faces again.’’

At first, he says, he was being asked about his frequency of visits and why he was there. ‘‘They asked the same things over and over.’’

Eventually, the official, Bassem Saraeb, said his concerns were about whether Fuavao had the funds to support his stay. ‘‘He was saying if I could show him proof I was getting money in America, it would affirm to him that he could let me stay.’’

Fuavao says he was asked if his aunt would support him, and he said she would, and he would reciprocate by babysitting his nephews. He says this got turned into paid work at a childcare centre.

In a videotaped confession, he also said Parker would pay him $3000 for his videography work, but says at that stage, he just wanted to go home and agreed with whatever was suggested to him. He and Parker have both confirmed he has never been paid for his video work. Parker pays for his flights and accommodation as a gift.

Fuavao’s documents say he was banned because he had admitted returning to the US to resume work as a ‘‘YouTuber/ social media influencer’’.

Parker said: ‘‘The fights are his escape and his reward and something he looks forward to. There’s the possibility we will have three fights over here this year, and he will miss all of them.’’

Fuavao’s brother is married to Parker’s sister, Elizabeth.

‘‘He’s a very close part of the team,’’ Parker said. ‘‘He knows exactly what’s going on. He’s always there when I need him. He’s a very good friend . . . I consider him one of my brothers. I am just curious as to what’s going on. I feel sad for him, and we just want to see why it has happened, and what the reason is for it.’’

Higgins described Fuavao as the type of character ‘‘who would take a bullet for you: honest, loyal, an utterly selfless, hardworking guy. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like this’’.

‘‘I think any right-thinking, fair-minded person would agree it is an outrage, a disgrace: it is guilty until proven innocent,’’ Higgins added. ‘‘He’s been treated like a criminal without any charge or trial.’’

Fuavao has arranged an interview with the US Consulate later this month to appeal the decision, but is pessimistic overturning the ban.

US Embassy spokeswoman Janine Burns said despite Fuavao providing a privacy waiver to discuss his case, they would not comment.

She said a visa did not guarantee US entry, and Customs and Border Protection officials had the authority to deny entry.

The Department of Homeland Security ran a Traveller Redress Inquiry Programme which ‘‘allows people who have been denied or delayed entry into the US . . . to file an inquiry to seek redress’’.

Another route was to schedule an appointment at a US Consulate and be interviewed by a consular official. ‘‘Each set of circumstances is assessed on its merits and we don’t pre-adjudicate cases.’’

The US Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment. about