(MAY 23) We are just around the corner from the historic Women's World Heavyweight title fight between Lani Daniels and Alrie Meleisea at Eventfinda Stadium on May 27th. Here are the facts going into the fight.

This is a historical fight with this being the first ever World title fight contested between two New Zealand-born boxers and the first time between Maori and Pasifika boxers. Both boxers are ranked number 1 and 2 across the world boxing bodies making this a true best-of-the-best world title fight for the heavyweight division.

Lani Daniels has been here before. In March 2019, Lani Daniels took on Brazilian-born New Zealand citizen Geovana Peres for the WBO World Light Heavyweight title. Peres won the fight by Unanimous Decision, becoming the first LGBT person to represent New Zealand to win a world boxing title. Daniels has the experience as a world title contender going into this fight.

International records-keeping website Boxrec has practically dubbed this a 50/50 fight. Both boxers have a 47% chance of winning this fight, with a 6% chance of this fight being a draw. However, the stats weren't always like that. Earlier in the year, Lani Daniels was 6% ahead of Alrie Meleisea but was changed due to how many months between now and both fighters' last fights.

Alrie Meleisea has the support of Joseph Parker and David Tua. Leading into the fight, former World Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker sent a video of support backing Meleisea in the fight. On Radio Samoa, Legendary heavyweight boxer David Tua was interviewed alongside Alrie Meleisea, showing his support for Alrie.

Alrie Meleisea weighed heavier in her last fight compared to Lani Daniels. Alrie Meleisea weighed in at 98.2 kgs compared to Lani Daniels's 83.5 kgs. This could give Alrie Meleisea more power in the fight. However, Lani Daniels is more of a pick-and-move type of boxer. Less weight gives her an advantage with speed and movement. Alrie Meleisea has only fought in the heavyweight division her whole career whereas Lani Daniels has fought in the Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions.

Lani Daniels has more experience as a boxer in both professional and amateur boxing careers. She has had 86 rounds as a professional boxer, as well as five years of amateur boxing. Alrie Meleisea has 43 rounds of boxing, but she has also fought in MMA and Kickboxing. She also has the ability to make an upset, which she did on her debut. They are at similar heights but Lani Daniels will have the reach advantage.

This might be Lani Daniels's last fight. Lani Daniels has stated that win or lose, she plans on retiring after this fight. The only reason she would continue to fight is if she gets big paydays in the future. Alrie Meleisea plans to fight on regardless if she wins or losses.

Finally, the records, Lani Daniels's current record is 7 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws with her only losses being to WBO World Champion Geovana Peres. She is a three-time New Zealand champion and the only ANBF Womens Heavyweight Australasian Champion. Alrie Meleisea current record is 6 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. She is a two time New Zealand Heavyweight champion and a former UBF Asia Pacific heavyweight champion.

IBF World Heavyweight title fight between Lani Daniels vs Alrie Meleisea will happen at Eventfinda Stadium (formerly known as North Shore Events Centre) on the North Shore, Auckland. GA Tickets are available at the Eventfinda ticket website. Corporate tables are available on the RLCA website. The fight will be televised on the SKY Sports Pop-up channel (which either will be ch 600 or 601). If you don't have Sky or Sky Sports, you can watch the event online with Sky Sports Now for a one-off week subscription for $20. The event will be televised internationally on PPV with FITE TV.

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