Taupō will make history in April when world champion boxer Lani Daniels defends her IBF Light Heavyweight title.

Daniels (Ngāti Hine/Ngāpuhi) won her first world title against Alrie Meleisea in May 2023 for the IBF World Heavyweight title and went on to win the IBF World Light Heavyweight title in December 2023 against Desley Robinson.

**Daniels celebrates a world title victory.**

Now, she faces off against Tongan-born New Zealander Nailini Helu at the Taupō Event Centre on April 5.

It will be an historic occasion on several fronts. It is the first major world title fight in New Zealand to happen outside of Hamilton, Auckland or Northland.

It will be only the second world title fight to happen between a Māori and Pasifika, and Helu will become the first female Tongan to fight for a world title.

The fight is also a rematch, with the pair first meeting in 2018 when Lani Daniels successfully defended her New Zealand national (NZPBA version) light heavyweight title.

The fight is hosted by Ironfist Promotions.

Taupō is no stranger to boxing as it hosted the North Island Golden Gloves Championship for decades before the competition moved to Tauranga.

Nuki Boxing Gym has hosted many events over the years in Taupō.

Nigel Elliott of Ironfist Promotions will be the sole promoter of this fight, and the second world title that he is promoting. He has more than 20 professional boxing fights in his promoting career, including four of Daniels' fights, notably her world title defence against the Nigerian Bolatito Oluwole.

Elliot said he is hoping to connect with local iwi and businesses to get the event happening as world title fights are “high risk and incredibly expensive to promote”, in a small country like New Zealand.

Daniels has held onto the Light Heavyweight world title for more than 410 days, climbing closer to Joseph Parker's first WBO World Heavyweight title record of 476 days.

Helu made her professional boxing debut in April 2016. She has faced setbacks, losing to some New Zealand and Australia greats including IBF World title contender Alrie Meleisea, IBF World Middleweight champion Desley Robinson, retired WBO World Light Heavyweight champion Geovana Peres, and Daniels.

Helu has had a comeback after taking a four-year hiatus, winning the South Pacific (PBCNZ version) Super Middleweight title in August 2022 and in August 2024, both against Tinta Smith. The title wins boosted her rankings, and she is now 6th in both Boxrec and the IBF.

The undercard will feature a variety of combat sports including Amateur, Corporate, and professional boxing, tag team kickboxing with a possible four-man kickboxing tournament.

There will be four professional boxing fights on the night, including Michael Reynolds from Paraparaumu, taking on Brisbane boxer, Faavesi Isaako in a lightweight fight.

Putāruru boxer Jadene Treadway will take on Palmastern North Boxer Tania Barnett in a Super Lightweight fight.

Finally, hometown hero Cole Campbell, representing Nuki’s Boxing Gym will take on Herewaka Katipa from Hamilton in a Crusierweight fight, both making their pro boxing debut.

The event will stream live on YouTube under the Ironfist Promotions account. Tickets will be on sale at Eventfinda from February 1.

Corporate tables can be purchased at Nigel@ironfistpromotions.co.nz