Tongan-born professional boxer Nailini Helu becomes the first Tongan female to fight for a world title, as she gets a massive opportunity to steal the IBF Light Heavyweight title from two-division world champion Lani Daniels, in a historic fight set to place on 5 April, at the Taupo Event Centre, in New Zealand.
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, the second world title fight to happen between a Maori and Pasifika, and Nailini Helu becoming the first female Tongan to fight for a world title, says boxing commentator Benjamin Watt.
This fight is also a rematch as the two first back in 2018 when Lani Daniels successfully defended her New Zealand national (NZPBA version) light heavyweight title.
Helu made her professional boxing debut in April 2016.
She faced significant setbacks, losing to some of 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.
The title wins gave her a significant boost in the rankings, now being ranked 6th in both Boxrec and the IBF. Helu will make history by becoming the first Tongan female to fight world a world title, making this the second Maori vs Pasifika world title fight.
Meanwhile, Daniels has held onto the Light Heavyweight world title for over 410 days, climbing closer to Joseph Parker's first WBO World Heavyweight title record of 476 days.
