Photo credit: Youtube.Where New Zealand has balked at providing extra sponsorship cash for Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker's title fight next month, the tiny island nation of Samoa has stepped up.Parker will fight Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland's Vector Arena on December 10, though both the host nation and city have declined to fund the WBO title scrap.Samoan prime minister Sailele Malielegaoi has stepped up instead, handing over US$100,000 to Parker's promoters Duco Events. That'll mean all open broadcast tourism spots during the fight will show the sandy beaches of Samoa, instead of promoting New Zealand.Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker and trainer Kevin Barry talking about the Ruiz Jr fight. Source: Youtube.Malielegaoi will also introduce Parker, who has Samoan heritage, to the ring – while both the Kiwi and Samoan national anthems will be played before the fight."We had no hesitation [paying the sponsorship frees to Duco] due to the major benefits we can reap," the Samoan PM told the New Zealand Herald.A convincing argument could be made the any extra funds the New Zealand government has right now are going into recovery and reconstruction following the deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Kaikoura last week.Duco promoter David Higgins admitted the Samoan advertising during a New Zealand held fight could confuse international viewers."Yes, if you're a viewer watching this fight in London, or an investment banker in Germany or you're a lawyer in Las Vegas, it might seem somewhat odd that it's filled with a Samoan tourism promotion … but that's not out doing," he told the Herald.Legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr talking up Parker's chances against Ruiz Jr in Auckland next month. Source: Youtube.Parker is attempting to become the first New Zealand-born boxer to hold a heavyweight title belt. The only former champion with Kiwi ties was the Irish-born Bob Fitzsimmons, who held the heavyweight crown between 1897 and 1899.Ex-Gisborne plumber Tom Heeney and Samoan-born Kiwi David Tua made unsuccessful title attempts, in 1928 and 2000, respectively.Malielegaoi – who has invited actor and ex-wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson to the fight - reckons Parker has a better chance than the 'Tuaman.'"David did face tremendous odds in the sense that he was much shorter and also had a shorter reach than [Lennox Lewis in 2000]," he told the Herald."This second time, I think we have the advantage in the sense that Joseph Lupesoliai Parker has a better reach and better height."
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