Six male Samoan fighters won gold, and one woman, Faasu Loia, in the middleweight category after she beat Tahiti’s Heiura Nena.

She was introduced to the cheering crowd at the medal ceremony as the "queen of Samoan boxing", and admitted she was overcome by the emotion of the occasion.

Loia, 22, said: “I’m just speechless and overjoyed, I just don’t know what to say.

“Boxing has changed my life and I’ve made close friends who I now call family.”

Samoa's other gold medallists included super heavyweight Filimaua Hala, who defeated Sepasitiano Hurrell Lavemai of Tonga, and Afaese Fata Kalepi, who beat Papua New Guinea's Arthur Ray Lavalou in the heavyweight final.

They formed part of a gold rush for Samoa as the host country won the final six bouts contested at Don Bosco, culminating in Loia's triumph.

Starting the run was Marion Ah Tong in the men's welterweight, by beating Papua New Guinea's Warren Warupi.

He was followed by Jancen Poutoa who won the middleweight final against New Caledonian Ramses Thimoumi, before Ato Leau Plodzicki Faoagali proved too good for Jolando Lala Lupe Taala of American Samoa.

The first Samoan to win boxing gold was Nuuuil Mose, who defeated Solomon Islands teenager Pemberton Lele in the lightweight final.

Away from Samoan success, Jennifer Chieng provided one of the best stories from the boxing as she won the Federated States of Micronesia's first medal of these Pacific Games, gold in the women's lightweight.

The 33-year-old beat Laizani Soma from Papua New Guinea, having earlier this week spoken about the challenges she faced training for Samoa 2019.

Chieng, the only Micronesian boxer at these Games, said: “In all of FSM there is only one boxing gym.

"There are potential athletes that can be developed and we became a member of AIBA in 2014 so it has taken some time to build up the programme.

“Boxing is still a growing sport back home, the interest is there, it's just that we do not have a lot of boxing clubs.

"Organising all of that is taking some time to get off the ground.”

Soma was one of eight Papua New Guinean boxers to reach finals, however only three left Savai'i with gold medals.

Flora Loga won the first final of the day – women's flyweight – as she beat New Caledonia pugilist Menina Charlot, while Charlie Keama won the men's version of that category, defeating Fiji's Zohab Ali.

Jamie Cheng suffered defeat in the bantamweight final against Christen Amram of Nauru, after Maxie Tekura Mangea lost the light flyweight contest to Vanuatu puncher Berry Namri.