Stuff reports Samoa's top sports administrator believes boxing will boom there if Joseph Parker can win the WBO heavyweight title.
Parker fights Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland tonight for one of the most coveted belts in the world, one of the top four in the glamour division.
A win would launch Parker to international stardom and Samoa are ready to cash in.
"I think the impact of Joseph Parker winning the WBO will be fairly substantial in Samoa," Faamausili Taiva Ah Young, chief executive of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee told the Samoan Observer.
"I think it’s going to encourage a lot of athletes to go into boxing but most importantly I think it would be a source of income for families as well," he said.
"Boxing is an Olympic sport and it's really encouraging to see a Samoan who is leading the world in boxing and it’s going to be a big boost for Samoa as well. We sincerely hope the aftermath of Joseph winning the WBO will flow through to the Samoa community especially the boxers."
Samoa has a strong historical link to New Zealand boxing and fight codes with David Tua, Jimmy Peau, Maselino Masoe and Mark Hunt all having proud heritage to the island nation and Kiwi sport.
But Samoan have even closer links to this title fight in Auckland.
When the New Zealand Government showed little interest in helping fund the $4m promotion and Auckland City's promotional arm Ateed did a last minute U-turn on financial support, the Samoan government stepped in with much-needed money that helped keep the fight in the largest Polynesian city in the world.
The reward for Samoa will be plenty of exposure during the lengthy broadcast that is going around the globe.
Parker is Auckland-born but has Samoan parents and is a regular visitor there with his family owning property. Parker fought in Samoa in January, completing another victory on his run of 21 unbeaten fights.
Ah Young appeared open-minded to the Samoan Olympic committee getting involved in a victory parade if Parker can beat Ruiz.
"That will be up to the board really but it would be cause for celebration. After all it's a world boxing title. And we really appreciate Joseph Parker coming back every now and then and its really good encouragement for boxers in Samoa," he s
Photo: Photosport (NZ heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker and entourage after defeating Russia's Alexander Dimitrenko).