Samoan boxing sensation Jai Opetaia is in Samoa with his family for a much-needed break but is taking time out to visit schools and promote the sport.

While he is on holiday, his focus is on another Samoan boxer who will be fighting later this month. Lupesoliai Joseph Parker faces Daniel Dubois in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 22 February. 

He visited Chanel College and Seventh Day Adventist School on Monday. He was welcomed with open arms, big smiles and loud cheers by students, teachers, and parents.

In an interview with Samoa Observer, he said he was excited to spend time on the island with his wife and daughter. 

He said he was backing Lupesoliai to win the fight against Dubois who knocked out Anthony Joshua late last year.

"I'm backing him all the way. I'm betting on him. I hope he wins but yeah I am backing him. He's a good dude. So get up Parker, let's go, said Opetaia

He said he had fun on Monday hanging with the school children. He said it was fun and a realisation of how much support was in the islands.

"My last fight was good. I'm happy we got the win the way we did. You know, there's always that sort of Australia-New Zealand rivalry, so it was good to have it on Australian soil because we've been fighting overseas so much," he said about his last fight. 

"For this trip, we're not expecting much. We just came to hang out. We wanted to relax, drink a couple of beers by the pool, and just have a good time. We want to come and do some stuff here for the community and the people which is important."

This is Jai's seven-month-old daughter's first trip to Samoa. He said it was an important trip for him. The champ is from Tufuiopa and plans to visit family.

"We got some plans to go there and catch up, see where my grandma's from, I've been there a few times," he said.  

He expressed a casual approach to the trip, with no specific plans however he is open to community engagement and sightseeing.

"I've got no clue of what's happening here. We just sort of going with the flow. One day we might pop in (to see boxing association in Samoa), I don't know, I'm not sure. I'm just following the lead. This is sort of just a quiet trip, I kind of came undercover, and just visit a few schools. The visit here (Chanel College) was amazing and it's good to see the kids. It's a good experience. It's grounding, I loved it."

Jai is here to give back to Samoa in guiding them in the right direction, and be there for whoever needs it. He doesn't intend to train boxers but but he is keen to have sessions as that is more in his liking and style. He also acknowleged the support from Samoa throughout his boxing career.