(MAR 17) Last night in New Zealand,  Geovana Peres has successfully defended her New Zealand Light Heavyweight (PBCNZ version) title by split decision against Lani Daniels.

Geovana Peres is well known for being the first ever person from the LGBT community to win a New Zealand Boxing Title at a professional level. In the 2017 year, Geovana won two New Zealand titles. The New Zealand National Boxing Federation title and the New Zealand Professional Boxing Commission Title. This was the first time Geovana has defended one of her titles.

She went up against a very skilled undefeated boxer, Lani Daniel’s (2 - 0 - 0). Lani is current the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Champion and has a lot of amateur boxing experience, including being a two time New Zealand amateur boxing champion.

It was a very close fight throughout the bout with an almost knockdown happened in the 9th round to Geovana, however it was ruled a slip. After a long wait to telley up the scorecards, Daniel Hennessey announced the scores. 96 -94 daniels, 93 - 97 peres, 94 - 98 peres make Geovana Peres the winner by Split Decision.

After the bout, Lani Daniels family, friends and fans performed a haka to pay respect to both Lani Daniel’s and Geovana Peres. The manager to Lani Daniel’s, Nigel Elliot has stated he wants an immediate rematch as soon as 3 months, possibly even in Cambridge on Nigel Elliot’s shows.

After the fight, Geovana Peres had an interview on the Rainbow Boxing Promotions facebook page where she said she was worried she might have lost the bout but is happy for the win. She said she got emotional from the Haka and thanks everyone who performed and respects them all. She Trained really hard for her bout but ready to go back to the gym to get better and correct some mistakes. "Thank you so much for all the support you guys, I really appreciate it every single one of you, for the people who don't know me thank you very much”.

Geovana Peres extends her record now to 5 - 1 - 0.

Geovana Peres has been confirmed to fight on a yet to be announce boxing event on February 22nd 2019 at ABA stadium in Auckland. That event will be the first ever LGBT boxing event in New Zealand under Rainbow Boxing Promotions. It will also be part of the 2019 Auckland Pride Festival. You can check Rainbow Boxing Promotions out on Facebook. It is believe that fight will be for a major international title with a potencial world title shot for the winner.