Taupō will make history in April when Ironfist Promotions hosts two-division world champion Lani Daniels (Ngāti Hine/Ngāpuhi) as she defends her IBF light heavyweight title against Tongan-born New Zealander Nailini Helu.

The boxing event is set to take place on April 5 at the Taupō Event Centre.

The organiser said “this is a historic fight on so many levels”, including being the first major world title fight to happen outside of Hamilton, Auckland and Northland.

“It’s also the second world title fight to happen between a Māori and Pasifika, and Nailini Helu will become the first female Tongan to fight for a world title. This fight is also a rematch as the two first met back in 2018 when Lani Daniels successfully defended her New Zealand national (NZPBA version) light heavyweight title,” said Ironfist Promotions’ Nigel Elliott.

“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 multiple events over the years in Taupō to add to the busyness of amateur boxing.”

Elliott will be the sole promoter of this fight, the second world title he has overseen, and adds to the more than 20 professional boxing fights in his promoting career.

He said he has promoted multiple significant events, including four of Daniels’ fights, one of which was her world title defence against Nigerian Bolatito Oluwole.

“And other boxers including top 10 WBO-ranked Gunnar Jackson, world title contender Andrei Mikhailovich, Liam Messam, former top three IBF ranked Jerome Pampellone, world title contender Alrie Meleisea, top 10 WBA ranked Sequita Hemingway and more,” Elliott said.

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

Lani Daniels will be defending her IBF Light Heavyweight title on April 5. Photo / Supplied

“Lani Daniels has been on fire, being on a seven-long winning streak since April 2022,” Elliott said.

“She won her first world title against Alrie Meleisea in May 2023 for the IBF world heavyweight title. She went on to successfully defend it before winning her second world title for the IBF world light heavyweight title in December 2023 against who is now the current IBF world middleweight champion, Desley Robinson.”

Daniels has held on to 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.

“However, if you combine both of her titles, she has held both for over 612 days,” Elliott said.

“England-born New Zealand citizen Bob Fitzsimmons holds the record for most world titles by a New Zealander with four world titles across three weight divisions with a combination of 3267 days.”

Daniels' opponent Helu made her professional boxing debut in April 2016.

“Right from the beginning, she was deemed as someone destined for greatness in boxing,” Elliott said.

“However, she faced significant 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 Lani Daniels.

“Helu began having a major 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.”

Lani Daniels will be chasing more success at the Taupō Event Centre on April 5. Photo / Supplied

Elliott said the title wins gave Helu a significant boost in the rankings and she is now sixth in both Boxrec and the IBF.

“Helu will make history by becoming the first Tongan female to fight for a world title, making this the second Māori v Pasifika world title fight,” Elliott said.

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

“There will be a total of four professional boxing fights, including Michael Reynolds from Paraparaumu who is getting assistance from Peach Boxing in Auckland,” Elliott said.

“He will be taking on Brisbane boxer, Faavesi Isaako in a lightweight fight. Putāruru boxer Jadene Tredaway will take on Palmerston North boxer Tania Barnett in a super lightweight fight. And finally, the local hometown hero Cole Campbell, who represents Nuki Boxing gym in Taupō, will take on Herewaka Katipa from Hamilton in a cruiserweight 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

World title event promoted by Nigel Elliott Ironfist Promotions - April 5 at Taupō Events Centre

IBF World Light Heavyweight title 10x2 minute rounds

New Zealand/Māori Lani Daniels v New Zealand/Tongan Nailini Helu

Lightweight 4x3 minute rounds

Australian Faivesi Isako v New Zealand’s Michael Reynolds

Super Lightweight 5x2 minute rounds

Putāruru’s Jadene Treadaway v Palmerston North’s Tania Barnett

Cruiserweight 4x3 minute rounds

Taupō‘s Cole Campbell v Hamilton’s Herewaka Katipa