Lani Daniels

From the rural environs of Whang?rei, New Zealand, Te?Arani Moana "Lani" Daniels emerged not only as a gifted pugilist but also as a symbol of personal transformation. Born on July 15, 1988, she channelled the struggles of adolescence, losing her younger brother at 14 and battling substance use, into a determined pursuit of boxing, initially as a means to lose weight alongside her sister Caroline. Over roughly 30 bouts in the amateurs, she claimed back-to-back national titles in light?heavyweight (2014) and middleweight (2015), earning the Bobby Johnson Cup in '15 for her scientific ring craft. Guided by Dion McNabney at Nabby's Gym, she twice rose to national honours before turning to nursing with a focus on mental health, a career she continues alongside her pugilistic one.

Daniels entered the paid ranks on September 1, 2017, at age 29, facing fellow debutant Trish Vaka at Auckland's Netball Centre. Showing poise from the outset, she flexed her amateur pedigree to claim an eight-round unanimous decision for her first pro win. Just two months later, she answered a rematch call with Vaka,  this time for the vacant NZPBA light?heavyweight title, and again controlled matters from the jab to the final bell, bringing home her first national belt by unanimous decision.

Maintaining her upward trend, in March 2018, Daniels challenged Geovana Peres for the PBCNZ light?heavyweight crown but came up short in a tight ten-rounder, losing via split decision. This first professional setback didn't slow her. A July defence against former world-ranked Nailini Helu secured a commanding unanimous win. By September, she'd stepped up to claim the Pro Box NZ super?middleweight title over Tessa Tualevao. That string of performances grew her reputation as a disciplined, technically sound force.

Her first crack at a world title arrived on March 30, 2019, when she rematched Peres, this time for the WBO female light?heavyweight crown. In front of a sold-out crowd at SkyCity Convention Centre, Daniels gamely returned fire for ten rounds, but Peres edged a unanimous decision (98?92 twice, 96?94), reaffirming her place at the top of the division. Undeterred, Daniels rebuilt through national contests and, following a drawn and split series with Tualevao in 2019, re-entered world?ranked contention, earning a WBA top?5 slot before a pandemic pause halted momentum.

It wasn't until April 2022 that Daniels returned to action, dismantling Sequita Hemingway by unanimous decision over six rounds in Auckland. Weeks later, she claimed the Pro Box NZ light?heavyweight title against Tinta Smith, again by UD over eight. Despite battling camp interruptions, including COVID-19 and personal illness, she had secured a spot in the WBA/WBC top rankings by mid-2022. A rematch against Hemingway in March 2023 for the ANBF Australasian heavyweight strap produced another unanimous win, setting the stage for what would be a defining chapter of her career.

On May 27, 2023, at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium, Daniels faced Alrie Meleisea for the inaugural IBF female heavyweight world title. The bout marked a milestone, New Zealand's first world title fight between two domestic-born fighters and the first pitting M?ori against Pasifika. Daniels, showcasing rangy footwork, crisp combinations, and strategic countering, tallied a unanimous decision (98?92 twice, 99?91), making history as the first New?Zealand M?ori to hold a world boxing championship. That evening's jubilation spilt into a celebration back in P?p?wai, where over 300 supporters held a community parade, surpassing the village's population and cementing Daniels' legacy.

Continuing her reign as heavyweight champion, Daniels stepped in against Razel Mohammed on August 26, 2023, to defend her IBF heavyweight title. She earned her first stoppage win, a fourth?round TKO, displaying increased power and ring generalship. Just over three months later, on December 2, 2023, she claimed the vacant IBF female light?heavyweight title at Whang?rei's McKay Stadium, edging Desley Robinson by majority decision over ten rounds and further making history as the first New?Zealand?born M?ori to hold world titles in two divisions.

Daniels's most recent bout came on September 7, 2024, in Hamilton, where she retained the IBF light?heavyweight title with a comprehensive unanimous?decision win over Bolatito Oluwole, pushing her record to 11–2–2 with 1 KO. Currently signed with Salita Promotions (as of April 2025), Daniels continues to balance her world-class boxing career with her work as a mental health nurse, community youth mentor, and M?ori cultural figure.