(MAR 5) Lani Daniels's IBF World Light Heavyweight title defence against the Tongan Nailini Helu receives another hiccup as a venue change has been announced to the National Equestrian Centre, Taupō on 3rd of May.

Promoter Nigel Elliott of Ironfist Promotions has been facing some challenges putting on Taupō’s best boxing show in history. Originally, the event was booked to take place at the Taupō Events Centre on April 5th. However, the fight was postponed until May 10 because the venue was under construction and would not be ready for the event. Now, Elliott has been informed it was not possible, despite being promised the venue would be ready on time. Now we have a new venue and a new date.

Elliott is determined to have this event happen at Taupō, however, this brings a significant challenge to get a sizable venue for the event. This show is a $200k show with a sizable cost and needs a sizable venue to pay. Elliott looked at all the options in Taupō, including Great Lake Centre, however, the venue only has a capacity of 400 for banquet-style events. Owen Delany Park would be sizable enough as capacity can be anywhere between 15k and 30k, however, it is a high risk for an outdoor event in May.

The best option for this event while remaining in Taupō is at the National Equestrian Centre. Outside of boxing, Elliott is a manager for horse racing. Using his experience, he managed to track down an unusual venue for boxing, but it does work. There have been a few boxing shows that have happened in Australia in similar venues in the past.

The venue might only have a 300-person capacity in the grandstands; however, the surface itself measures 65m x 75m (estimated 4875 m2), which is larger than Auckland's Spark Arenas 2800 m2 that holds up to 1,800 people for a banquet. This means this venue could potentially hold up to 4800 people on the floor.

This is an historic event as the fight will be making history on so many leaves including 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.

After doing some research, it has been discovered that this will be the first professional boxing event to ever happen in Taupō. Taupō is no stranger to boxing as it hosted the North Island Golden Gloves Championship for decades before the competition moved to Tauranga. Nuki Boxing Gym has hosted multiple events over the years in Taupo to add to the busyness of amateur boxing. But Taupō has never experienced a professional boxing event.

Some major undercard announcements will be announced later in the month, but until then, here is the card.

3rd of May at Taupo National Equestrian Centre

IBF World Light Heavyweight title 10x2 minute rounds

New Zealand/Maori Lani Daniels vs New Zealand/Tongan Nailini Helu

Super Lightweight 5x2 minute rounds

Putaruru Jadene Treadaway v Palmerston North Tania Barnett

Cruiserweight 4x3 minute rounds

Taupos Cole Campbell vs Hamilton Herewaka Katipa

More to be announced soon.

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