Lani Daniels, a 37-year-old boxer from rural New Zealand, gets ready to face undefeated champion Claressa Shields on July 26 in the motor city. This fight puts Daniels on the global stage against one of the best pound-for-pound female boxers.
Daniels, known as "The Smiling Assassin," has come a long way since her professional debut in 2017. She's won three national titles in New Zealand across different divisions and now holds the IBF light heavyweight world title. Her record stands at 11 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws, and 1 knockout.
The New Zealander's journey hasn't been easy. She's faced tough opponents like Geovana Peres, losing to her twice, and engaged in a trilogy with Tessa Tualevao that ended in two consecutive draws. But Daniels doesn't give up easily.
At 1.69 m tall with a 170 cm reach, Daniels fights in an orthodox style. She's competed in light heavyweight, super middleweight, and middleweight classes. While she doesn't have an imposing punch, her determination sets her apart.
Daniels isn't your average boxer. She works as a nurse and a community trainer, and serves as a Maori leader. Her philosophy goes beyond wins and losses - for her, it's about the fight itself.
"The internal fight was won years ago,"Daniels has said, showing her resilience and determination.
Now, as she prepares to face Shields, Daniels stands on the brink of a career-defining moment. The fight on July 26 will test her skills against one of the best in the sport, putting her rural New Zealand roots on the world stage.
