Lani Daniels won the IBF women's world heavyweight title in May. Photo: Photosport
In a first for New Zealand boxing, two world title fights will be on the same card this weekend.
Mea Motu puts her 16 fight unbeaten record on the line along with her IBO super bantamweight title against Ellen Simwaka in a bout on Auckland's North Shore on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Lani Daniels will defend her world championship.
Daniels won IBF women's world heavyweight title after defeating fellow countrywoman Alrie Meleisea back in May.
Barely three months from winning her title, Daniels is still coming to terms with the result.
"I'm still getting my head around the whole world champ thing, because, for me, I feel like it's only the beginning and I think there's more in me to offer in terms of getting better."
Daniels (Ngati Hine) will meet unbeaten South African Razel Mohammed (3-0-2, 0 KOs) in the co-main event.
"I know she's a southpaw which be a bit different, but not too much. A punch in the face as a punch in the face. She's from South Africa. So just from that alone, they're pretty hearty people, tough. I know she'll be coming in putting her best foot forward."
Daniels 'The Smiling Assassin,' said she is forever finding new boundaries to break in camp.
"I've definitely been pushing new limits especially mentally and the physical aspect is just coming as a result. We're always trying to find the easy or the most comfortable way to do things and I think with fighting and boxing there is no easy way. There's no shortcuts. You'll get exposed. So you've just got to do the hard yards."
She said she is driven by inspiring her whanau and making them proud.
The Smiling Assassin,' with her team. Photo: Photosport
"My nieces and nephews and our kids back at home. We are, just simple, simple life people and each day as it comes in, I think it's just showing them that if I can do it, so can they."
It was a difficult road to the title for Daniels, who struggled with addiction in her youth after her brother died of leukemia at the age of 11.
"In terms of the alcohol and drug use, it was just me trying to find a way to kind of heal. Because I guess, losing my brother at a young age that was quite tough. We all deal with grief differently. For me, drugs and alcohol helped for that period of my life. But I guess it was the aftermath that wasn't helpful. It actually made life a lot more difficult, because life is already difficult without that complexity in your life, so I think boxing has been great for just finding more clarity and just being me as opposed to covering up with alcohol and drugs."
The 35-year-old said her rise has been made easier with fellow world champ and Northlander, Mea Motu by her side.
"I think it's not only great for boxing but I think it's grateful for Maori and just for our people up north because we are both from up north. It's cool to just be doing it together. I think it takes a huge load of pressure off. I think there's good to share that space with someone else and someone's so close to home. Someone who was raised Maori like myself, it's pretty special."
Another Kiwi on the card is undefeated light heavyweight Jerome Pampellone, also out of Peach Boxing.
Fresh off a round one knockout in April, Pampellone said he is feeling even more dangerous.
Jerome Pampellone said he believes he deserves a title shot. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"Each camp I feel I get stronger, smarter. Now I get to show everyone again why each fight I keep improving and I believe I should be fighting at that top level."
Ranked 14 in the IBF lightweight rankings, Pampellone (16-0), also out of Peach Boxing, will fight Luvuyo Sizani (7-0) another southpaw opponent, a challenge he describes as a chess match.
"It's my first undefeated fighter so I know he's going to be coming hungry but I'm more hungry. When I get in the ring, everything is all focused for the win by any means necessary."
Having won three of his past four bouts by knockout or TKO, Pampellone said he is well conditioned to go the distance.
"It's always good to get a knockout but I'm at that top level now and if it goes into the late rounds, I'm also prepared for that too."
The English born Trinidadian said he is honoured to share the card with world champs Daniels and Motu.
"They just keep putting New Zealand's boxing on the map again and again. It's a big night for New Zealand."
The 27-year-old wants to make a statement on Saturday and improve his world title credentials.
"I'm just looking to get a fight was found in the top 15 constantly keep proving myself why I believe deserve a title shot."
A part time plumber, Pampellone hopes he can hang up his tools soon in exchange for a fulltime career in the ring.
"That's definitely the goal to be a full time athlete, full time boxer. I think it's just around the corner and I'm excited."
