(JUNE 24) Northland's own Lani Daniels has won her third New Zealand title of her career in Cambridge, Waikato when she defeated New Zealand amateur champion Tinta Smith for the New Zealand National (Pro Box NZ version) Light Heavyweight title.

Initially, Lani Daniels was set to fight Sequita Hemingway for a heavyweight title in a rematch, however, shortly after the fight was announced Hemingway pulled out of the fight due to injury from their first fight in April this year. Tinta Smith who just won the New Zealand national amateur championship from being unopposed and recently came off a win in May took the fight.

This was an extremely interesting fight before the date came around as the trainer to Tinta Smith Dion McNabney was Lani Daniels's trainer during Daniels's amateur career before Daniels turned pro.

The fight began with Daniels out jabbing her opponent, fighting on the outside and trying to make Smith miss. Daniels, of course, did this successfully however if Smith got too close to Daniels she would make her pay. Smith would begin what is a tactic that was used throughout the fight which was the illegal back of the head punch which the referee Joshua Nyika would not notice as of yet.

Smith would make her return being the more technical fighter in the middle of the fight, but she would land more behind the head punches as she continued her dirty fighting style. The referee has not picked this up at this point. Daniels would get back on track when Daniels gets back to her boxing skills, jabbing and keeping moving.

The fight starts to get extremely close as both boxers get extremely tired in the later rounds. At some points, Smith would be on top as she would land a lot of shots on the inside, especially to the body. However, Smith landed a lot more dirty behind the head shots and kidney punches which is not very liked. Daniels's punches were more technical. Leading into the last round, things were close and pretty even however it was Daniels's determination in the final round that in the end won her the fight.

Throughout the fight, Daniel’s corner was not happy with the referee due to lack of control or warning or point deducting with Smith consistently doing behind the head and kidney punches.

After the fight, MC Isaac Savage announce Lani Daniels the winner by Unanimous Decision, picking up her third New Zealand title. Daniels has in the past won a NZPBA Light Heavyweight title in 2017 and Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight tile in 2018.

When asked what Lani Daniels wants to do next, she said she wants to keep busy and get herself back into the World title picture.

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