Lani Daniels

Te Arani Moana "Lani" Daniels (15 July 1988) is a New Zealand professional boxer who has held the IBF female heavyweight title since May 2023.[3] She is the fourth boxer of Maori descent to win a world boxing championship.[4] Daniels is currently signed with Dean Lonergan for a three fight deal under D & L Events.

Lani Daniels
Daniels in number 1 boxrec shirt
BornTe Arani Moana Daniels
(1988-07-15) 15 July 1988[1][2]
Whangārei, New Zealand
Other namesThe Smiling Assassin
ResidencePipiwai, New Zealand
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight81.8 kg (180 lb; 12 st 12 lb)
Division
StanceOrthodox
TeamTukaha Boxing and fitness
Rebel Lee Gar (2018 - Present)
NJE Promotions(2017)
Glozier Boxing(2019)
D & L Events (2023 - 2024)
Nabby's Boxing GYM (Amateur Career)
TrainerJohn Conway
Years active2017 - Present
Professional boxing record
Total13
Wins9
By knockout1
Losses2
By knockout0
Draws2
Other information
OccupationProfessional Boxer
Register Nurse
UniversityWaikato Institute of Technology
Boxing record from BoxRec

Early life

Daniels is one of nine siblings. At the age of 14, Daniels' younger brother died of leukemia at the age of 11. This led to Daniels turning to drugs and alcohol with contemplation of suicide.[5] She got inspired by her sister Caroline who was already fighting as an amateur boxer. Since then Lani turned her life around and became a mental health nurse. She fights alongside her sister Caroline with both of them being amateur and later on professional boxers.[6]

Amateur career

Daniels originally started boxing to lose weight alongside her sister.[7] Daniels began her career in the amateur division. She first started with her sister Caroline in Hamilton under the coach Dion McNabney at Nabby's Boxing GYM. Daniels is a two-time New Zealand amateur boxing champion, winning the titles in 2014 and 2015. Its estimated she has fought around 30 amateur boxing fights and 4 corporate fights[8][9]

Professional career

Debut to multiple national champion 2017 – 2018

In September 2017, Daniels made her professional debut against another debutant boxer Trish Vaka on the Big Bash Boxing Promotion.[10] Lani Daniels won bout by Unanimous Decision.[11] In November 2017, Daniels fought Vaka again in a rematch, but this time for the vacant NZPBA Light Heavyweight Title. Daniels won the bout by unanimous decision, winning all of the scheduled rounds by two judges and picking up her first title.[12]

In March 2018, Daniels took on another New Zealand champion Geovana Peres.[13] Peres at the time before the belt held both New Zealand National Boxing Federation and Professional Boxing Commission Light Heavyweight titles.[14] Geovana Peres was defending her PBCNZ Light Heavyweight title in the bout against Daniels. It was a close bout, however Daniels lost bout by split decision, suffering her first professional defeat.[15] In July 2018, Daniels defended her NZPBA title against former world ranked boxer Nailini Helu.[16] The bout went the full 8 rounds with Lani Daniels almost winning all the rounds, winning the bout by unanimous decision retaining the title.[17] In September 2018, Daniels fought Tessa Tualevao for the vacant Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight title in Cambridge, New Zealand. Daniels won the bout by unanimous decision, winning her second professional title.[18]

World title contender, Tualevao Rivalry 2019
Main article: Geovana Peres vs Lani Daniels II

On 17 December 2018, it was announced that Daniels will be going against Geovana Peres in a rematch for the WBO light heavyweight title. The event took place on 30 March 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand.[19] Daniels lost the bout by unanimous decision.

On 19 June 2019, it was announced that a rematch between Daniels and Tessa Tualevao would happen on 2 August 2019, at ABA Stadium for the vacant New Zealand Professional Boxing Commission Female middleweight title. During the announcement it was revealed that Daniels was still ranked 5th on the WBA world rankings.[20] This was the first time that Daniels fought in the middleweight division in her professional career. The fight reached the full 8 round but the bout ended in a draw, leaving the belt to remain vacant.[21] On 13 August 2019, Bruce Glozier announced that the third bout between Daniels and Tessa Tualevao would happen on 4 October 2019, at Sky City Convention Centre. This was for the vacant New Zealand Professional Boxing Commission Female middleweight title.[22] This fight was on the undercard of the Geovana Peres vs. Claire Hafner World title fight night.[23]

Comeback, Receiving Call outs 2021 – 2022

On 27 February 2021, Daniels was scheduled to make her in-ring return to fight Alrie Meleisea for a major world title.[24] Unfortunately, there were a lot of problems with behind the scenes which went from being for a world title, to an intercontinental title, to a regional title, to it being a national title.[25] Eventually the fight got called off altogether due to boxing politics and communication breakdowns behind the scenes.[26]

On 4 September, Daniels was originally scheduled to return to the ring, to fight at Eden Park.[27] Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, the fight got postponed. The fight ended up happening on 30 April 2022 at ABA Stadium against professional rugby player Sequita Hemingway.[28] Daniels won the fight by unanimous decision.[29] A rematch was scheduled to take place on 24 June at The Plaza in Putāruru.[30] However, Hemingway pulled out of the fight shortly after it was announced. Daniels will now take on amateur boxer Tinta Smith for the New Zealand National (Pro Box NZ version) light heavyweight title.[31] Daniels won the fight against Smith by unanimous decision with the fight being reported as very close.[32] After the fight, it was reported that Daniels struggled with her camp for the fight due to having Covid at the beginning of the camp, a leg injury, the flu closer to the fight and a family member suddenly a month before the fight.[33] In July 2022, Daniels received a WBA rankings of 3rd in the light heavyweight division.[34] Shortly afterwards, Daniels received another increase in the rankings to not only 2nd in the WBA, but also 1st in the WBC.[35] In November 2022, South African national women's champion Razel Mohammed took to social media demanding a fight against Daniels.[36]

World title fight, Hemingway rematch, Alrie Meleisea Rivalry, D & L Promotions 2023
Main article: Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea

On 9 December, Alrie Meleisea defeated Sequita Hemingway for the Pro Box NZ heavyweight title. After her fight, Meleisea asked if she would be interested in a world title fight against Daniels. She replied “Anytime, anywhere, any place,” officially calling out Daniels.[37] In January 2023, it was announced that Daniels was in negotiations with Meleisea team for a potencial world title fight in May.[38] Also in January, it was announced that negotiations were happening to have a tuneup fight against Sequita Hemingway before the world title fight.[39] On 14 January, it was announced that Daniels' fight against Sequita Hemingway was confirmed for 10 March at ABA Stadium for the historical vacant ANBF Australasian heavyweight title.[40] This will be a warm up fight for the world title.[41] On the same day it was confirmed that Daniels would take on Meleisea for the first-ever IBF World women's heavyweight title on 27 May at Eventfinda Stadium.[42] The intentions for the Hemingway fight is not only to be a tune up fight but also to help pay the bills for the world title fight.[43] On March 10, Daniels won her fight against Sequita Hemingway by unanimous decision, winning the ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title.[44] Lani Daniels reveal that this world title fight against Alrie Meleisea might be her retirement fight for her professional boxing career.[45] Daniels won the fight by unanimous decision, securing the IBF world heavyweight title.[46] Daniels has stated she would continue her career if the money was right. On the 18th of July it was announced that Daniels had signed a three fight deal with boxing promoter Dean Lonergan under D & L Promotions.[47] At the same time, It was announced that Daniels will defend her world title against South African boxer Razel Mohammed on 26th of August at Eventfinda Stadium.

Personal life

Daniels is a descendant of Te Tai Tokerau. She is from the Iwi Ngāti Hine which is part of the wider Ngāpuhi. She also belongs to the Hapū Te Orewai. When she isn't boxing, Daniels is a mental health nurse. She currently resides in the small town of Pipiwai.[48] Outside of her own training, Daniels trains her family for free, to give back to the youth and community.[49][50]

Boxing Titles
Daniels holding her three New Zealand titles

Amateur Boxing
  • Boxing NZ
    • New Zealand Amateur Light Heavyweight (2014)[51]
    • New Zealand Amateur Middleweight (2015)[52]
    • Bobby Johnson Cup (Most Scientific boxer at the 2015 New Zealand national amateur championships)[53]

Professional Boxing

Professional boxing record
13 fights 9 wins 2 losses
By knockout 1 0
By decision 8 2
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
13 Win 9–2–2 Razel Mohammed TKO 4 (10 26 Aug 2023 Eventfinda, Auckland, New Zealand Retained IBF female heavyweight title
12 Win 8–2–2 Alrie Meleisea UD 10 27 May 2023 Eventfinda, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant IBF female heavyweight title
11 Win 7–2–2 Sequita Hemingway UD 8 10 Mar 2023 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant ANBF Australasian heavyweight title
10 Win 6–2–2 Tinta Smith UD 8 24 Jun 2022 Don Rowlands Event Centre, Lake Karapiro, New Zealand Won vacant Pro-Box NZ female light-heavyweight title
9 Win 5–2–2 Sequita Hemingway UD 6 30 Apr 2022 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
8 Draw 4–2–2 Tessa Tualevao SD 8 4 Oct 2019 SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand For vacant PBCNZ female middleweight title
7 Draw 4–2–1 Tessa Tualevao PTS 8 2 Aug 2019 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand For vacant PBCNZ female middleweight title
6 Loss 4–2 Geovana Peres UD 10 30 Mar 2019 SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand For vacant WBO female light-heavyweight title
5 Win 4–1 Tessa Tualevao UD 8 22 Sep 2018 Cambridge Raceway, Cambridge, New Zealand Won vacantPro-Box NZ version female super-middleweight title
4 Win 3–1 Nailini Helu UD 8 14 Jul 2018 Auckland Netball Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Retained NZPBA female light-heavyweight
3 Loss 2–1 Geovana Peres SD 10 16 Mar 2018 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand For PBCNZ female light-heavyweight title
2 Win 2–0 Trish Vaka UD 8 18 Nov 2017 Cambridge Raceway, Cambridge, New Zealand Won vacant NZPBA female light-heavyweight title
1 Win 1–0 Trish Vaka UD 4 1 Sep 2017 Auckland Netball Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

Basketball
No. 7 – Te Tai Tokerau Northland Phoenix
PositionPoint Guard
LeagueWBC New Zealand
Personal information
NationalityNew Zealand
Career information
Playing career2016–2019
PositionPoint Guard
Number7
Career history
2016–2019Te Tai Tokerau Northland Phoenix

Between 2016 and 2018, Daniels played basketball for the Te Tai Tokerau Northland Phoenix, competing at the New Zealand Women's Basketball Championships.[54] Daniels was the Phoenix team lead scorer in 2017.[55] Daniels competed in two National Championship tournaments. In 2017, the Phoenix finished eleventh place on the standings.[56] In 2018, the team competed in the tier 2 conference, coming in fourth place.[57]

Awards and recognitions
  • Boxing New Zealand
    • 2015 Bobby Johnson Cup Most Scientific boxer (Won)[58]
  • Northland Sports Awards
    • 2018 Female Boxer of the Year (Won)[59]
    • 2018 Fireco Sportswomen of the Year (Nominated)
    • 2022 Fireco Sportswoman of the Year (Nominated)[60]
  • New Zealand Boxing Awards
    • 2019 Female boxer of the year (Nominated)[61]
    • 2019 New Zealand Fight of the year (Won)[62]
    • 2019 Best looking female boxer of the year (Won)
  • Te Tai Tokerau Māori Sports Awards
    • 2023 Te Tohu TaKaro Toa Wahine Outstanding Sportswoman Award (Nominated)[63]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Note
2023 Breakfast Self
2023 7 Days Self

References
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  2. "LANI DANIELS VS. ALRIE MELEISEA: DATE, START TIME, TV CHANNEL AND LIVE STREAM". DAZN. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. "Lani Daniels outslugs Alrie Meleisea in world heavyweight title fight in NZ". Stuff.co.nz. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  4. "Daniels crowned world heavyweight champion". RNZ. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  5. "'Boxing saved my life': When finding the will to live is the biggest win". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. "Daniels sisters making their mark in the ring". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  7. "Boxing diet pushes Daniels up rankings". Waatea News. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  8. "New Zealand Amateur Boxing female champion history". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  9. "Nabby's Gym female boxing quartet swapping Hamilton for Serbia in January". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  10. "The Big Bash 8". WW100. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  11. "Big Bash 8 Replay". VirtualTicket.tv. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
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  13. "Battle of the New Zealand Titles". WomenBoxing. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  14. "Brazilian Geovana Peres ranked number one in the world". World Boxing News. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
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  16. "Nailini Helu v Lani Daniels tops South Auckland on July 14". World Boxing News. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
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  33. "Flu couldn't stop Daniels' slugfest". Waatea News. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  34. "Two wāhine Māori climb world boxing rankings". Te Ao Maori TV. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  35. "Lani Daniels Ranked on top of the world". Women's Boxing. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
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  38. "Lani Daniels: Talks underway for potential historic world title fight". Maori TV. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  39. "Sequita Hemingway in talks for rematch against boxer who is going for world title". Women Boxing. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
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  53. "BOBBYJOHNSON CUP Elite Female Most Scientific Boxer". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  54. "Basketball Profile". Basketball Australiabasket. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  55. "2018 WBC Just Around The Corner". Otago Basketball. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  56. "2017 Basketball Results" (PDF). New Zealand Basketball. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  57. "2018 Basketball Results" (PDF). New Zealand Basketball. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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  59. "New Zealand: Lani Daniels wins Local Award". Women Boxing. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  60. "2022 Finalists". Northland Sports. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  61. "Winners 2019 Gladrap Awards". Gladrap. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  62. "Gladrap Awards 2019". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  63. "Boxers get nominated for local indigenous awards". Women's Boxing. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
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