Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea

Next World Champion

Date	27 May 2023
Venue	Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Title(s) on the line	Inaugural IBF Heavyweight Championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer Lani Daniels Alrie Meleisea Nickname The Smiling Assassin Hometown Pipiwai, New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand Pre-fight record 7–2–2 6–1–1 Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) Style Orthodox Orthodox Recognition WBA No. 2, WBO, WBC, IBF, WBO, ESPN & Boxrec No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight Three Time New Zealand Champion ANBF Australasian Champion Former WBO World title Challenger IBF, WBO, ESPN & Boxrec No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight Two time New Zealand Champion UBF Asia Pacific Champion
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]}

History

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 is 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 is 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

Fight Details

The event is promoted by Vasco Kovačević who is also Meleisea's Trainer and Manager. ^[21] This is the first televised event that Kovačević has put on. The fight was fought at Eventfinda Stadium, formerly known as North Shore Events Centre, in North Shore, Auckland New Zealand. General Adminssion Tickets for the fight went on sale with Eventfinda and Corporate tables were sold with Vasco Kovačević RLCA. General Admission tickets sold at $58.38 for a single ticket or $210.96 for four tickets. Door Sales were sold at $78.88. ^[22] Corporate tables were sold between $1080 and $2500. Mika Haka performed the national anthem for New Zealand. ^[23]

Broadcasting

On the 3rd of February it was announced that the world title would be broadcast in New Zealand with Sky Sports on Sky TV. ^[24] The event would be free for Sky Customers who has the Sky Sports package. However Sky customers without Sky Sports Package and non Sky Customers are able to watch the event on "Sky Sports Now" website with a one off one week subscription of sky sports for $20. On the 22nd of February, it was announced that FITE was interested in broadcasting the event internationally. ^[25] Fite PPV cost $19.99 Australia $14.99 USA, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. $9.99 rest of the world. Combat Sports Network New Zealand will also be broadcasting the event for $29.99 for a one off one week subscription to the website streaming service.

International broadcasters
Country	Broadcaster
New Zealand	Sky Sports Pop Up
Rest of the world	FITE
Rest of the world	Combat Service Network New Zealand

Media build up

On the 12th April, there was a press conference that was dub the first face off between Lani Daniels and Alrie Meleisea, However, Daniels was not able to make it due to covid. ^[26] Promoter Vasco Kovacevic stated to Newshub "We don't give it to them until after they've actually achieved something, but most of the time, it's bandwagon". On the 5th May, all of the event team as well as the camps of Daniels and Meleisea were welcomed onto the Orakei Marae. This was to welcome both fighter onto the Marae, to pay their respects and to pay respects to the first Maori world champion Daniella Smith. ^{[27] [28]} This is where Meleisea stated its nothing personal its strictly business, which was a common saying being used in the build up for the David Tua vs Shane Cameron fight.

Aftermath

After winning the fight, the town of Pīpīwai started planning a parade for Daniels to walk in, to celebrate her achievements. ^[29] The parade took place on the 2 June with 300 people attended the event, which is more than the population of Pīpīwai itself. ^[30]

References

1. "Lani Daniels: IBF confirms world title fight for 'humble' fighter from Pīpīwai". Te Ao Maori. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
2. "Lani Daniels wins third career boxing title". Te Ao Maori. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
3. "Daniels-Peres rematch for World Boxing Title". Maori TV. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
4. "Peres, Daniels to battle it out for Women's WBO strap". World Boxing News. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
5. "Alrie Meleisea defeats Nailini Helu at ABA Stadium". World Boxing News. 12 March 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
6. "Heavyweight boxer Alrie Meleisea training for IBF world title: "I'm betting on me."". TPPlus. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
7. "Lani Daniels going the extra mile to be a world champion". Stuff NZ. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
8. "Hemingway misses out on NZ title with loss to Meleisea". Stuff NZ. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
9. "Lani Daniels: Talks underway for potential historic world title fight". Te Ao Maori. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
10. "IBF World title confirmed for Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea". Waatea News. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
11. "Lani Daniels' fight could unify two world title belts". Te Ao Maori. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
12. "Historic IBF Rankings update". Women Boxing. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
13. "Sequita Hemingway in talks for rematch against boxer who is going for world title". Women Boxing. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
14. "Boxers get nominated for local indigenous awards". Women Boxing. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
15. "Alrie Meleisea and Lani Daniels 'fight of a lifetime'". Te Ao Maori. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
16. "Lani Daniels claims historic title in victory over Sequita Hemingway". Te Ao Maori. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
17. "Boxing: Joseph Parker picks favourite Alrie Meleisea for IBF world title fight". New Zealand Herald. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
18. "Taimi with TUAMAN (15 MAY 2023) Faumuina To'aletai David Tua". Radio Samoa. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
19. "Northland boxer Lani Daniels fighting to be women's world heavyweight champion". New Zealand Herald. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
20. "Benji Watt Boxing Commentator and Judge". Waatea Radio. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
21. "IBF title fight: Te Arani Moana Daniels gets her shot at a world heavyweight title". New Zealand Herald. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
22. "Ticket information". Eventfinda. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
23. "Boxing: Lani Daniels: Pīpīwai has a heavyweight world champion". New Zealand Herald. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
24. "Northland boxer Lani Daniels' world title fight to be televised". Northern Advocate. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
25. "Lani Daniels and Alrie Meleisea the first-ever Maori vs Pasifika world title fight". Ring News 24. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
26. "Boxing: Kiwi heavyweights Alrie Meleisea, Lani Daniels square off for women's IBF crown at Auckland". Newshub. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
27. "Wāhine toa to make history in heavyweight boxing clash". Te Ao Maori News. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
28. "IBF Heavyweight World Title: Alrie Meleisea vs Lani Daniels". Radio Samoa. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
29. "Pīpīwai to welcome 'our new world champion home' with parade". Te Ao Maori. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
30. "Small Northland town expects more success, thanks to world champ Lani Daniels". Stuff NZ. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.