Whangārei’s Lani Daniels will put her light heavyweight world boxing title on the line against Tongan-born New Zealander Nailini Helu in April.
Whangārei’s Lani Daniels will put her light heavyweight world boxing title on the line against Tongan-born New Zealander Nailini Helu in April.
Whangārei’s world boxing champion Lani Daniels is determined to extend her winning streak - and her time as number one - when she defends her title in April.
Daniels (Ngāti Hine/Ngāpuhi) will defend her IBF Light Heavyweight title against Tongan-born New Zealander Nailini Helu at the Taupō Event Centre on April 5.
It will be the first major world title fight outside of Hamilton, Auckland or Northland. Helu will also become the first female Tongan to fight for a world title.
It is also only the second world title fight between Māori and Pasifika boxers;
The bout is a rematch as the two first fought back in 2018 when Daniels successfully defended her New Zealand national (NZPBA version) light heavyweight title.
England-born New Zealand citizen Bob Fitzsimmons holds the record for most world titles by a New Zealander with four world titles across three weight divisions with a combination of 3267 days.
Helu made her professional boxing debut in April 2016 and was touted as someone destined for boxing greatness.
However, she faced significant setbacks, losing to New Zealand and Australia greats including Meleisea, Robinson, retired WBO World Light Heavyweight champion Geovana Peres, and Daniels.
Helu began a major comeback after a four-year hiatus, winning the South Pacific (PBCNZ version) Super Middleweight title in August 2022 and in August 2024, both against Tinta Smith.
The title wins gave her a significant boost in the rankings, now ranked 6th in BoxRec and the IBF.
Lani Daniels earned an impressive majority decision against Australian Desley “Lady D” Robinson for the vacant IBF light heavyweight world belt in her home town in December 2023.
Taupō is no stranger to boxing as it hosted the North Island Golden Gloves Championship for decades before the competition moved to Tauranga.
Nuki Boxing Gym has hosted multiple events over the years in Taupo to add to the busyness of amateur boxing.
Nigel Elliott of Ironfist Promotions is the sole promoter of the fight, with this being his second world title promotion. He has promoted multiple significant events in his boxing career including four of Daniels’ fights, including her world title defence against Nigerian Bolatito Oluwole.
The undercard will feature a variety of combat sports including amateur, corporate, and professional boxing, and tag team kickboxing with a possible four-man kickboxing tournament.
There will be four professional fights and the event will be streaming live on YouTube under the Ironfist Promotions account. Tickets will be on sale at Eventfinda on February 1.
■ Daniels retained her title in Whangārei in the Wahine Toa II boxing event that also featured fellow Northland boxer Mea Motu, who retained her IBO super bantamweight world title in a brutal victory over Indian challenger Chandni Mehra.
