Ngati Hine and Te Rarawa boxers Lani Daniels and Mea Motu are expecting nothing less than a massive crowd of rowdy Northlanders, as they defend their world title belts at Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland in two weeks.
“Lani and Iare both from Northland,” Motu says.
“We are basically like family really. So her support and my support are gonna support each other!”
The unbeaten Motu (16-0, 6 KOs) faces heavy-handed Malawian challenger Ellen Simwaka (12-6-2, 8 KOs) in the main event, the first defence of the IBO crown she won in April by outpointing Tania Walters at the same North Shore venue.
Lani Daniels (8-2-2, 0 KOs) will look to extend her own title reign by turning away unbeaten South African foe Razel Mohammed (3-0-2, 0 KOs) in the co-main.
Daniels described her last victory for the IBF World Heavyweight title against South Aucklands Alrie Meleisea as a “weight loss journey”.
“Normally I would have a fight and wait a while, but being so close together there’s no mucking around I can just get on with it and treat it like a proper job… It feels like only now the true boxing career is only just starting,” Daniels says.
