Kiwi Lani Daniels is a double world champion after winning her IBF light heavyweight world title fight against Australian Desley Robinson in Whangārei last night.
Daniels, on a double bill main event with fellow New Zealand woman Mea Motu, who was also successful, also holds the IBF world heavyweight title. She is the first New Zealander to be a world champion across two boxing weight divisions.
The 35-year-old, from Pipiwai Bush – close to the McKay Stadium venue – impressed early with her head movement and aggression against her Queensland opponent.
But the tough and determined Robinson stayed in the fight throughout, which went the full 10 rounds, Daniels coming out on top by majority decision: 95-95, 97-93, 99-96.
Motu, defending her IBO world super bantamweight title, won by a wide unanimous decision 98-91, 100-89, 99-90 against Indian opponent Chandni Mehra, but the worried looks in her corner at the final bell suggested Motu didn’t have it all her own way.
Mehra, only 22 but with an extensive amateur background, was docked a point for holding in the ninth round and fought mainly on the back foot but she scored freely.
“I knew Chandni was tough,” Motu said in the ring afterwards. “She told me she was going to give me a fight and she wanted it. I respect her for that.”
Motu, 33, improved her record to 18-0, and, after winning her world title in Auckland in April, there may be a feeling in her camp that she will have to fight overseas for bigger and better challenges.
Eight-year-old Zen Peach, the son of Motu’s trainer Isaac and an important part of Motu's training team, told Sky Sports in the ring afterwards that he would like Motu to fight one of English promoter Eddie Hearn’s “girls” next. IBF world title holder Ellie Scotney is promoted by Hearn.
Meanwhile, light heavyweight Jerome Pampellone continued his stunning recent form when stopping experienced Mexican Rogelio Medina Luna in the first round.
Luna, a 35-year-old who has had 50 professional fights and has been in the ring with seven former or current world champions, was clearly shocked by Pampellone’s power and was put on the canvas early.
After his opponent beat the count, Pampellone, nicknamed the Panther, picked his punches beautifully and forced the referee to stop the fight.
It is the third fight in a row in which Pampellone has won by knockout in the first round. He and his team were clearly delighted at the victory. Given the one-sided nature of the fight, the Kiwi almost certainly prepared far more assiduously than his opponent.
“This is a huge step,” Pampellone said in the ring afterwards. “This one showed I’m ready for those top opponents.”
Before the fight, Pampellone, who improves to 18-0, was ranked in the top 15 by the WBC, IBF and WBO organisations and will also be moving closer to world title considerations.
SHARE ME