Organisers and participants in this year's Marist Boxing Next Generation Judgement Day held a parade on Apia Beach Road on Wednesday morning ahead of the main event on Friday.

Samoa's Police band led the parade on Wednesday morning starting from the Fire and Emergency Service Authority (F.E.S.A.) compound to the Government Building at Matagialalua. 

They were joined by representatives from the Samoa Boxing Federation; a boxing team from Hastings in New Zealand; athletes and team from South Australia, Team Samoa comprising Marist Club and Upolu Savai'i; Fiji Pro Boxers, Apisa and Paula, Samoan Pro Boxers, Tupuola Ato Faoagali and Marion Faustino Ah Tong as well as the Marist Boxing Committee. 

An official welcoming of all the boxers and their teams was held later on Wednesday at the Marist Sports Club, Lotopa. 

The Minister for Education Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Samoa Government to officially welcome the boxers. 

This Friday Commonwealth silver medalist and Australian-based Samoan boxer Tupuola will debut as a professional fighter. There are more than 50 bouts confirmed for this coming Friday. 

Tupuola will go toe to toe against Fijian Apisai Naciqa at the Tuanaimato Faleata Sports Complex. Naciqa is no stranger to professional fights, having fought five previously. However, from the get-go, the bout looks to favour Faoagali as Naciqa has won only two of his five fights and lost three by knockout.

Faoagali said during the exchange between the fighters that he was looking to end the fight early.

"We're all Pasefika brothers at the end of the day but in the ring it's a different story and when we get in there, I don't want to go six rounds," he said.

Naciqa said he will wait and see and do his talking in the ring.

Another proud Samoan who will be making his professional debut is Marion Faustino Ah Tong. He has been pitted against another Fijian, Ratu Rakuro in the super welterweight division. 

Ah Tong and Faoagali have been training together in Australia for their professional debut. Their coach Steven Faoagali said training had been intense and they have come prepared to win.

The Fiji team meanwhile claim they have a game plan and will not give in to the Samoan fighters.

"There will be fireworks and I'm coming with all I have. I have my game plan and that's to complete the six rounds," said Ratu Rakoru.

There will be 50 fights on the night showcasing bouts from the amateur level to the professional fights. Boxers from other Pacific nations will be arriving this week.

Faoagali is confident that he will win his first professional fight and has called for Samoan support to cheer him on.