Kiwi boxer Lani Daniels has defended her IBF light heavyweight title in convincing fashion, handing her hard-hitting foe her first loss in a clinical performance in Hamilton.
Entering Globox Arena last night, Daniels changed the script from her previous ring walks – rather than arriving to swelling support from friends and family in the form of a haka, the 36-year-old instead decided to make a statement.
Blasting from the speakers came Donna Summer's She Works Hard for the Money, a 1983 anthem that came with a very clear statement from Daniels and her camp.
And she backed it up in the ring.
Nigeria's Bolatito Oluwole entered the bout 9-0 with five knockouts to her name, hoping a win could inspire her home nation after a disappointing Olympic Games in Paris where they missed out on boxing medals.
Oluwole's power was well-recognised by Daniels and her coaching team but she was unable to hurt Daniels throughout the 10 rounds, allowing the 36-year-old to find her groove and take over.
That control started out with counters off the back foot early on but as her confidence grew, Daniels started seizing the front foot herself and at times looked the heavier hitter of two.
That's not to say Oluwole didn't have her moments – the Nigerian landed multiple clean blows in the fight – but as the fight went late, it became clear Daniels' pace was too much.
That led to dominance in the late rounds; Daniels using her left hook and an overhand right to find her target consistently, although it was a short left breaking through Oluwole's guard in the eighth round that really shook things up.
Daniels was too much for previous unbeaten opponent Bolatito Oluwole in Hamilton. (Source: 1News)
A stunned Oluwole managed to hold on and even fire back a few times, but in the end Daniels' hard work and relentlessness saw her hold on to the belt with a unanimous decision win. The judges scored it 100-90, 98-92, and 97-93 in the champion's favour.
Having successfully defended the title on home soil, Daniels will now likely have to go abroad for future defences.
Coach John Conway told 1News earlier this week he's already had talks with "a few people", including two-time Olympic gold medallist Claressa Shields — one of only four boxers in history, female or male, to hold all four major world titles in boxing [WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO] in two weight classes — but they were disrespected with the initial offer.
"Claressa Shields reached out with a handful of peanuts and I just responded we're not monkeys and when they come up with a real figure and a real opportunity, we're interested," Conway said.
"They're leaning on the fact that it's an honour to fight her — but we're champions too so it should be an honour to fight us."
Needless to say, it looks Daniels and her team will continue to work hard for the money.
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