Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea
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Lani Daniels | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date | 27 May 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Venue | Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) on the line | Inaugural IBF Heavyweight Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniels wins by unanimous decision (98–92, 98–92, 99–91) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea, billed as Next World Champion was a boxing fight between Lani Daniels and Alrie Meleisea. It took place on 27 May 2023 at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. This fight made history for being the first World title between two New Zealand-born boxers and the first World title between Maori and Pasifika people.[1] Lani Daniels is well known for her first world title opportunity when she fought against Geovana Peres in their rematch dubbed History In The Making. Daniels three New Zealand title including the NZPBA Light Heavyweight title, Pro Box New Zealand Light Heavyweight title and Pro Box New Zealand Super Middleweight title.[2] She represents her Iwi the Ngāti Hine.[3] She is the second New Zealand Born female to be fighting for a major World title. The first being Daniella Smith, who is from the same hometown as Lani Daniels.[4] Alrie Meleisea is a New Zealand born Samoan who has won three titles in her career including the NZPBA Heavyweight title, UBF Asia Pacific title and Pro Box New Zealand title.[5][6]
Background
Daniels vs Meleisea was originally scheduled to take part on the Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa Undercard in February 2021, however, it was boxing politics that stopped this fight from happening.[7] Negotiations picked up again after Meleisea defeated Sequita Hemingway In December 2022.[8] It was confirmed on the 9th January 2023 that discussions had been happening since Christmas.[9] Shortly after the announcement, it was confirmed that the world title was set to happen for the vacant IBF World Heavyweight title.[10] Promoter Kovacevic has stated he was working on making this fight for a unification for the WBO and IBF title, however, as of January 21, IBF title was only confirmed.[11] As of result of the world title being booked, the IBF created their first World Heavyweight Women's rankings in eight years.[12]
Leading into the fight, Daniels opted to fight in a warm up fight on March 10 again Sequita Hemingway in a rematch for the historical ANBF Heavyweight title.[13] It was considered a big risk as a loss for Daniels could affectively cancel the world title on the fight.[14] Meleisea has gone straight into training camp instead for the fight against Daniels.[15] On March 10, Daniels won her fight against Sequita Hemingway by unanimous decision, winning the ANBF Australasian Heavyweight title.[16]
On the 15th May, former WBO World Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker stated his support for Meleisea.[17] Heavyweight boxing legend David Tua Also showed his support on Radio Samoa for Meleisea leading into the fight.[18]
Lani Daniels reveal that this world title fight against Alrie Meleisea might be her retirement fight for her professional boxing career.[19] Daniels has stated she would continue her career if the money was right. Professional boxing judge and boxing commentator Benjamin Watt has predicted that Daniels would win the first three rounds of the fight, but after that, anything could happen.[20]
Fight card
| Weight Class | Weight | vs. | Method | Round | Time | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | 175 + lbs. | Lani Daniels |
def. |  Alrie Meleisea |
UD | 10 | Note 1 | |
| Super Flyweight | 115 lbs. |  Jaqueline Mucio |
def. |  Michelle Preston
Munoz |
TD | 6 (8) | ||
| Cruiserweight | 200 lbs. | Ioane Auvaa |
def. | Tyrone Warren |
TKO | 3 (4) | ||
| Catchweight | 137.7 lbs. |  Zain Adams |
def. |  Obedi Maguchi |
TKO | 1 (4) | 2:40 | |
^Note 1 For the vacant IBF World Heavyweight title