Lani Daniels

Te Arani Moana Daniels is a New Zealand professional boxer.

Lani Daniels
Lani Daniels with her three New Zealand titles.
BornTe Arani Moana Daniels
Whangarei, New Zealand
Other namesThe Smiling Assassin
ResidencePipiwai, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight167 lb (76 kg; 11 st 13 lb)
DivisionSuper Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
StanceOrthodox
TeamTukaha Boxing and fitness
Rebel Lee Gar
NJE Promotions
Glozier Boxing
TrainerJohn Conway
Years active2017 - Present
Professional boxing record
Total11
Wins7
By knockout0
Losses2
By knockout0
Draws2
Other information
OccupationProfessional Boxer
Register Nurse
Boxing record from BoxRec

She is a three time New Zealand National Professional Boxing champion, holding the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Light Heavyweight title,[1] Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight title,[2] and Pro Box NZ Light Heavyweight title. Daniels has peaked in the rankings 2nd in WBA and 1st in the WBO, IBF, WBC, IBO, Boxrec and ESPN.[3] Daniels fought for a world title on March 30, 2019, fighting Geovana Peres for the WBO Light heavyweight title.

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.[4] 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.[5]

Amateur career

Daniels originally started boxing to lose weight alongside her sister.[6] 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.[7][8]

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.[9] Lani Daniels won bout by Unanimous Decision.[10] 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.[11]

In March 2018, Daniels took on another New Zealand champion Geovana Peres.[12] Peres at the time before the belt held both New Zealand National Boxing Federation and Professional Boxing Commission Light Heavyweight titles.[13] 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.[14] In July 2018, Daniels defended her NZPBA title against former world ranked boxer Nailini Helu.[15] The bout went the full 8 rounds with Lani Daniels almost winning all the rounds, winning the bout by unanimous decision retaining the title.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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 August 2, 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.[19] 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.[20] On 13 August 2019, Bruce Glozier announced that the third bout between Daniels and Tessa Tualevao would happen on October 4, 2019, at Sky City Convention Centre. This will be for the vacant New Zealand Professional Boxing Commission Female middleweight title.[21] This fight will be on the undercard of the Geovana Peres vs. Claire Hafner World title fight night.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24] Eventually the fight got called off altogether due to boxing politics and communication breakdowns behind the scenes.[25]

On 4 September, Daniels was originally scheduled to return to the ring, to fight at Eden Park.[26] 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.[27] Daniels won the fight by unanimous decision.[28] A rematch was scheduled to take place on 24 June at The Plaza in Putāruru.[29] 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.[30] Daniels won the fight against Smith by unanimous decision with the fight being reported as very close.[31] 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.[32] In July 2022, Daniels received a WBA rankings of 3rd in the light heavyweight division.[33] Shortly afterwards, Daniels received another increase in the rankings to not only 2nd in the WBA, but also 1st in the WBC.[34] In November 2022, South African national women's champion Razel Mohammed took to social media demanding a fight against Daniels.[35]

World title fight, Hemingway rematch, Alrie Meleisea Rivalry 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.[36] In January 2023, it was announced that Daniels was in negotiations with Meleisea team for a potencial world title fight in May.[37] Also in January, it was announced that negotiations were happening to have a tuneup fight against Sequita Hemingway before the world title fight.[38] 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.[39] This will be a warm up fight for the world title.[40] On the same day it was confirmed that Daniels would take on Meleisea for the first-ever IBF World womens heavyweight title on 27 May at Eventfinda Stadium.[41] 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.[42] On March 10th, Daniels won her fight against Sequita Hemingway by unanimous decision, winning the ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title.[43]

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.[44] Outside of her own training, Daniels trains her family for free, to give back to the youth and community.[45][46]

Boxing Titles

Amateur Boxing
  • Boxing NZ
    • New Zealand Amateur Light Heavyweight (2014)[47]
    • New Zealand Amateur Middleweight (2015)[48]
    • Bobby Johnson Cup (Most Scientific boxer at the 2015 New Zealand national amateur championships)[49]

Professional Boxing

Professional boxing record
11 fights 7 wins 2 losses
By decision 7 2
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
12 — — New Zealand Alrie Meleisea — – (10) 27 May 2023 New Zealand Eventfinda, Auckland, New Zealand vacant IBF World Heavyweight title
11 Win 7–2–2 New Zealand Sequita Hemingway UD 8 10 Mar 2023 New Zealand ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand vacant ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title
10 Win 6–2–2 New Zealand Tinta Smith UD 8 24 Jun 2022 New Zealand Don Rowlands Event Centre, Lake Karapiro, New Zealand Won vacant New Zealand National (Pro Box NZ version) Light Heavyweight title
9 Win 5–2–2 New Zealand Sequita Hemingway UD 6 30 Apr 2022 New Zealand ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
8 Draw 4–2–2 New Zealand Tessa Tualevao SD 8 4 Oct 2019 New Zealand SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand For vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Middleweight title
7 Draw 4–2–1 New Zealand Tessa Tualevao PTS 8 2 Aug 2019 New Zealand ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand For vacant New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) Middleweight title
6 Lose 4–2 New ZealandBrazil Geovana Peres UD 10 30 Mar 2019 New Zealand SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand Lost vacant WBO World Womens light heavyweight title
5 Win 4–1 New Zealand Tessa Tualevao UD 8 22 Sep 2018 New Zealand Cambridge Raceway, Cambridge, New Zealand Won vacant New Zealand National (Pro-Box NZ version) female super middleweight title
4 Win 3–1 New ZealandTonga Nailini Helu UD 8 14 Jul 2018 New Zealand Auckland Netball Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Retained New Zealand National (NZPBA version) female light heavyweight
3 Loss 2–1 New ZealandBrazil Geovana Peres SD 10 16 Mar 2018 New Zealand ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Lost New Zealand National (PBCNZ version) female light heavyweight title
2 Win 2–0 New Zealand Trish Vaka UD 8 18 Nov 2017 New Zealand Cambridge Raceway, Cambridge, New Zealand Won vacant New Zealand National (NZPBA version) female light heavyweight title
1 Win 1–0 New Zealand Trish Vaka UD 4 1 Sep 2017 New Zealand 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 Womens Basketball Championships.[50] Daniels was the Phoenix team lead scorer in 2017.[51] Daniels competed in two National Championship tournaments. In 2017, the Phoenix finished eleventh place on the standings.[52] In 2018, the team competed in the tier 2 conference, coming in fourth place.[53]

Awards and recognitions
  • Boxing New Zealand
    • 2015 Bobby Johnson Cup Most Scientific boxer (Won)[54]
  • Northland Sports Awards
    • 2018 Female Boxer of the Year (Won)[55]
    • 2018 Fireco Sportswomen of the Year (Nominated)
    • 2022 Fireco Sportswoman of the Year (Nominated)[56]
  • New Zealand Boxing Awards
    • 2019 Female boxer of the year (Nominated)[57]
    • 2019 New Zealand Fight of the year (Won)[58]
    • 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)[59]

References
  1. "Lani Daniels retains New Zealand strap via UD". World Boxing News. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  2. "Post Fight with Lani Daniels after winning the Probox NZ Supermiddle Weight Title". Gladrap Channell. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  3. "Boxing: Lani Daniels goes up a gear on ESPN world rankings". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  4. "'Boxing saved my life': When finding the will to live is the biggest win". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  5. "Daniels sisters making their mark in the ring". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  6. "Boxing diet pushes Daniels up rankings". Waatea News. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  7. "New Zealand Amateur Boxing female champion history". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  8. "Nabby's Gym female boxing quartet swapping Hamilton for Serbia in January". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  9. "The Big Bash 8". WW100. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  10. "Big Bash 8 Replay". VirtualTicket.tv. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  11. "March 16: Geovana Peres Defends her PBCNZ New Zealand Light Heavyweight Title Against NZPBA New Zealand Champion Lani Daniels". Women of Boxing. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  12. "Battle of the New Zealand Titles". WomenBoxing. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  13. "Brazilian Geovana Peres ranked number one in the world". World Boxing News. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  14. "Geovana Peres Prevails in Defense of her PBCNZ New Zealand Light Heavyweight Title Against Lani Daniels". Women of Boxing. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  15. "Nailini Helu v Lani Daniels tops South Auckland on July 14". World Boxing News. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  16. "Lani Daniels retains New Zealand strap via UD". World Boxing News. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  17. "Post Fight with Lani Daniels after winning the Probox NZ Supermiddle Weight Title". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  18. "Kiwis Geovana Peres and Lani Daniels to fight for world boxing title". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  19. "WBA Rankings September 2019". WBA. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  20. "Main Event: Lani Daniels vs Tessa Tualevao PBCNZ Women's Middleweight Title 2Aug19". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  21. "Daniels vs Tualevao III a week away". Women Boxing. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  22. "Geovana Peres will defend her World title against Canadian Boxer". Women Boxing. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  23. "Two New Zealand boxers in World rankings". Fight News NZ. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  24. "Alrie Melesiea vs. Lani Daniels On February 27th at Sparks Arena in Auckland in New Zealand". Women Boxing. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  25. "Three Women fights to headline New Zealand show". Women Boxing. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  26. "Northland news in brief: Two female boxers in Auckland fight night; and pensioner flats upgraded". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  27. "Hemingway hopes to step up to next level in tough fight". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  28. "Lani Daniels back on top of the world". Womens Boxing. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  29. "Northland boxer Lani Daniels vies to become first female to win NZ national Heavyweight title". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  30. "Lani Daniels gets new opponent for New Zealand title fight". Women Boxing. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  31. "Lani Daniels wins third career boxing title". Te Ao News Maori TV. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  32. "Flu couldn't stop Daniels' slugfest". Waatea News. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  33. "Two wāhine Māori climb world boxing rankings". Te Ao Maori TV. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  34. "Lani Daniels Ranked on top of the world". Womens Boxing. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  35. "Lani Daniels offers South African boxer 'knuckle sandwich'". Te Ao Maori News. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  36. "Hemingway misses out on NZ title with loss to Meleisea". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  37. "Lani Daniels: Talks underway for potential historic world title fight". Maori TV. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  38. "Sequita Hemingway in talks for rematch against boxer who is going for world title". Women Boxing. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  39. "Northland boxer Lani Daniels gets World Heavyweight title shot". Northern Advocate. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  40. "Lani Daniels: IBF confirms world title fight for 'humble' fighter from Pīpīwai". Maori TV. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  41. "IBF World title confirmed for Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea". Waatea News. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  42. "Lani Daniels going the extra mile to be New Zealand's next heavyweight world champion". IBF. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  43. "Lani Daniels claims historic title in victory over Sequita Hemingway". Te Ao Maori. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  44. "Smiling Assassin gunning for WBO world title". Newsroom. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  45. "1512 Lani Daniels NZ Maori Professional Female Boxer". Waatea. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  46. "Youth work keeping Daniels fit between bouts". Waatea. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  47. "Nursing student wins national boxing title". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  48. "Lani Daniels targets Olympics after winning national boxing title". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  49. "BOBBYJOHNSON CUP Elite Female Most Scientific Boxer". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  50. "Basketball Profile". Basketball Australiabasket. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  51. "2018 WBC Just Around The Corner". Otago Basketball. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  52. "2017 Basketball Results" (PDF). New Zealand Basketball. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  53. "2018 Basketball Results" (PDF). New Zealand Basketball. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  54. "BOBBY JOHNSON CUP". Boxing NZ. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  55. "New Zealand: Lani Daniels wins Local Award". Women Boxing. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  56. "2022 Finalists". Northland Sports. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  57. "Winners 2019 Gladrap Awards". Gladrap. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  58. "Gladrap Awards 2019". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  59. "Boxers get nominated for local indigenous awards". Womens Boxing. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
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