PORTLAND, Ore. (May 1, 2026) — WBAN is proud to announce New Zealand’s very own Lani Daniels as the premier choice for WBAN’s May 2026 Fighter of the Month. The honor follows her recent fight on the recent Most Valuable Promotions Women's card at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York.

Entering the ring as a determined underdog, Daniels delivered a solid performance against defending champion Shadasia Green. Daniels pressured her opponent aggressively in the later rounds, culminating in a  flurry of combinations that forced a referee stoppage at 0:32 of the ninth round. With this upset, Daniels captured the IBF, WBO, and Ring Magazine super middleweight world titles.

While Daniels had every reason to celebrate her crowning achievement, her immediate reaction highlighted her extraordinary character.  Exhibiting deep humility and genuine concern, Daniels directed all focus toward Green's health.

Beyond her lethal skill set in the ring, Daniels works in her community as a dedicated mental health nurse for children and teens. Her balanced life of service, family values, and fierce athletic resilience serves as a shining testament to her overall character.

WBAN deeply appreciates and celebrates a sincere boxer like Daniels. In an era where combat sports are sometimes dominated by negative trash talk, Daniels is a refreshing modern boxer in today's world.

WBAN would like to congratulates Daniels, saying, "She fights with the heart of a lion inside the ropes and displays the grace of a true diplomat outside of them. WBAN warmly congratulates Lani on this tremendous championship victory and thanks her for representing the sport with such dignity and honor."

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