Samoan heavyweight boxer Frank Masoe says he is inspired by the efforts of Joseph Parker, who like him, is a proud Samoan-Kiwi who grew up in South Auckland.
Masoe will fight at Commonwealth Games level for the first time on the Gold Coast in the coming days.
Having narrowly missed selection in the New Zealand team, he was offered the chance to fight for the land where his parents were born.
Like Parker, who at the weekend lost his world heavyweight title to Britain's Anthony Joshua, 22-year-old Masoe is a proud Kiwi-Samoan, and says he has been inspired by his more famous countryman's efforts on the global stage.
"I'm proud that he put New Zealand and Samoa on the map, he put the whole nation together, he united everyone, Polynesians got behind him, Pacific Island countries got behind him, it's just amazing to see the support.
"As a young athlete myself, Joseph was once in my shoes at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and look where he is at right now, eight years later, fighting in one of the biggest fights in the world.
"It really inspires me, I look up to Joseph as an athlete and a boxer, he's a great role model, especially myself, being a Polynesian and a South Aucklander."
Masoe will learn who he will meet in his games debut later today.
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