Boxer Joseph Parker has revealed he was paralysed for three days after eating raw fish in Samoa.
The undefeated champion spoke to British media this week, following the confirmation of his heavyweight bout against Anthony Joshua.
The Daily Mail released a lengthy feature on the Kiwi boxer, centred on his love of fishing.
Parker told the Daily Mail that on one of his trips back to Samoa he ate a fish raw - despite being warned - and was consequently left paralysed for three days fearing his life and boxing career was over.
Fortunately Parker made a full recovery from the scare and is now on the verge of the biggest fight of his career.
During the feature, Parker also recalled a particular trip in Auckland, where he devoured a fish straight after he caught it to the shock of American tourists on board.
"They looked at me like I was a weirdo," Parker laughed.
"I love fishing. The last time I went fishing, last Friday, I caught a two-metre mako shark, a hammerhead shark, a kingfish (and) a snapper," he said.
The WBO champion also discussed his upbringing from his father, Dempsey, who encouraged Parker to pursue the sport.
Dempsy told Parker at a young age that boxing was his "destiny".
Parker talked about his parents, who immigrated to New Zealand in search of a better life, and said "seeing the hard work they went through was very inspiring".
"Being a young boy and watching them work two or three different jobs a day shaped me to be the person that I am because seeing that example helped me to work hard and focus on what I'm trying to do."
Parker is now set for a massive payday in his upcoming heavyweight bout, which will take place at the Cardiff Principality Stadium on March 31.
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