THE confirmation that Samoa's middleweight champion Pele Faumuina will be part of the Wild West Boxing Promotions in December is a testament that there was no rift between the boxing bodies of the two countries.
Pacific Rim Boxing Championship (PRBC) chairman Edwin Puni in a letter to Wild West Promotions Abdul Khan said promoters like him played a big role in the development of the sport in the region.
"The confirmation of Samoa's middleweight champion Pele Faumuina's participation in your upcoming promotion is an affirmation of Samoa's commitment to the regional initiative (PRBC) and in acknowledgement of the important role promoter's play in the development of boxing which is mostly misunderstood," Puni told Khan.
Puni also said in a statement while the decision by Fiji not to send boxers to Samoa to participate in the inaugural PRBC in June was disappointing, it had not affected the relationship between the boxing organisations of the two countries.
"I have since met Ale Vena Ale, Samoa boxing commissioner and also met Samoa PRBC promoter Tuilagi Saipele Esera to sort out any potential rift between Samoa and Fiji because of Fiji's decision," Puni added.
"I am also in regular contact with Team Faumuina. Pele is preparing well and looking forward to the return match in Nadi with Fiji's Abhay Chand."