Brother in the driving seat

Joseph Parker will gladly honour a childhood agreement with his brother John and buy his younger sibling a car with his spoils of victory.

It was a huge night for the Parker family as John opened the undercard at Vector Arena on Saturday with a unanimous points win in his second professional fight to celebrate his 23rd birthday.

John was back for the feature fight, helping work Joe’s corner as big brother edged Mexico’s Andy Ruiz for the WBO heavyweight title.

Their father Dempsey was instantly into the ring to lead the celebrations and mother Sala even got into the ring for the first time in Joe’s 22 to fights to celebrate her son’s moment of glory.

Afterwards Joe was reminded of a deal a clever John had got him to agree to.

‘‘As kids John said if I won a world title, I would buy him a car,’’ Joe chuckled.

‘‘I think I have to deliver the promise. I’ll look for a very good one ... but not too expensive.

‘‘Happy birthday to my brother John. I got the win for him as well.’’

Parker, who earned a sevenfigure fee for his win over Ruiz, has already helped his parents pay of their south Auckland home with previous earnings from a successful four-year career as a professional.

The massive paydays await Parker if he can hold on to his belt and work towards unification bouts for the other three heavyweight titles.

Parker, who has a new baby daughter Elizabeth, is eager to get some time with his family and friends, and is being given a lengthy break over the holiday period.