There are reports the Samoan Government is one of the sponsors backing the Joseph Parker vs. Andy Ruiz heavyweight title fight in Auckland next month.
The New Zealand Government and the Auckland City Council had declined to be involved in sponsoring the event. Samoa, according to TVNZ, is pledging $100,000 for the fight.
Earlier this year, when Parker fought in Apia, the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoai said he hoped that that fight would put Samoa on the map as a holiday destination.
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes Ruiz, is very confident that his boxer will come out on top, capture the WBO and make history by becoming the first ever Mexican heavyweight champion on December 10.
Arum predicts the Parker-Ruiz winner will eventually take over the entire division and dominate it for years to come.
"I'm very excited about this fight," Arum said. "Parker is probably the hardest punching heavyweight around and Anthony Ruiz, without any question, has the fastest hands in the heavyweight division. Having fast hands in boxing is something that is special and makes Andy Ruiz very dangerous.
"Parker is a tremendous puncher, so he will have to stand there and absorb the fast-hand punches of Ruiz and then unload on Andy with his best punch. This is a true heavyweight championship fight ... two young heavyweights and I think the winner will be the king of the division.
"There's a passing of the guard with Klitschko really apart to depart the scene. The English have a good heavyweight in Anthony Joshua but I really believe these two kids, Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz, are the top and the winner of this fight will go on to dominate heavyweight boxing."
