Boxing event cancelled

Lani Daniels celebrates a world title victory.

A major boxing event planned for Taupō has been cancelled.

Kiwi boxer Lani Daniels was set to defend her world title against Tongan Nailini Helu on May 3.

Promoter Nigel Elliott of Ironfist Promotions has had some challenges putting on what he described as “Taupō’s best boxing show in history”.

Originally, the event was booked to take place at the Taupō Events Centre on April 5th. However, the fight was postponed until May 10 because the venue was under construction and would not be ready for the event.

However, with the venue not expected to be ready in time it was switched to the National Equestrian Centre.

Organisers then confirmed the event would not be going ahead at all, citing costs, sponsorship deals falling through and the venue problems.

Elliott said it was a $200,000 show, therefore the sizeable cost needed a sizable venue to pay.

The Great Lake Centre only has a capacity for 400 for banquet-style events. Owen Delany Park would be sizable enough as capacity can be anywhere between 15-30,000 but it was a high risk venue for an outdoor event in May.