This afternoon, David Tua was given a royal welcome to Waikato-Tainui to honour the Samoan before his bout against Alexander Ustinov on Saturday.
A spokesperson of King Tūheitia felt David Tua is worthy of an official welcome to the region.
The King himself is a fan of boxing, his middle name is Marciano.
The King's mother, the late Dame Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu named him after former American World heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.
Tua is a proud Samoan and meeting the King was a relishing experience.
He is believed to be a popular figure among the Waikato-Tainui people.
Today Tua relocated to Hamilton for Saturday night's clash with Alexander Ustinov.