On March 30th 2019, New Zealand will host their fourth major world title fight in Auckland, New Zealand. Geovana Peres will be taking on Lani Daniels for the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Women’s World Light Heavyweight title. This is the second time the two have met, with Geovana Peres taking home the win with a successful PBCNZ title defence.
Promoter Bruce Glozier of Glozier Boxing, made an official announcement today. “We have also secured a world class venue to stage this event, SKYCITY Convention Center.” Sky City Convention Centre as hosted multiple international and national boxing events since the 1990s. Some great fights including Shane Cameron vs Monte Barrett, Joseph Parker Debut bout, Hemi Ahio vs Alapati A’asa and many more. Glozier also stated “There is a growing need in our society to promote the interests of successful women and this event presents an opportunity to be part of an historical occasion.”
Born in Brazil, Geovana Peres came to New Zealand almost ten years ago. Mid last year Geovana became a New Zealand Citizen and has stated multiple times that she proudly represents New Zealand in the Sport of Boxing. In 2015, Geovana Peres gave boxing a go in the corporate division to raise money for charity.
See first fight here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3r8zP4wtQY
After winning her first bout, she decided to fight in the amateurs. Geovana ended up winning the Golden Gloves tournament in 2016. In 2017, Geovana Peres lost her first bout to Sarah Long in her Pro boxing debut.
After a big learning curve, Geovana focused her life into boxing, in hope to become world champion. After her lose, she went on to win her first New Zealand title, becoming the first ever person from the LGBT community to win a Professional New Zealand boxing title. She won her title by winning against Nailini Helu for the New Zealand National Boxing Federation (NZNBF) Light Heavyweight title. After winning a keep busy fight against Tessa Tualevao, Peres went for another New Zealand title. Geovana took on Trish Vaka in October 2017, but this time for the Professional Boxing Commission New Zealand (PBCNZ) Light Heavyweight title. Geovana won the title, becoming the second female ever to win multiple New Zealand titles, but first female to win New Zealand Boxing titles from different commissioning bodies.
Geovana Peres ended her year by taking on Tessa Tualevao for the second time. Geovana won the bout, however Tessa provided a tougher challenge. See the fight here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJedp-1vNkk
After winning multiple titles in 2017, Geovana got ranked 5th in WBA and top 10 in Boxrec. Geovana Peres had her toughest challenge by taking on Lani Daniels in March 2018, defending her PBCNZ Light Heavyweight title. It was a close bout, especially when Geovana Peres slipping in 9th round and it looking like a knockdown. Geovana Peres won the bout by Split Decision with some people calling it a Controversial decision. After the win Geovana Peres increased her ranking to 1st in WBA becoming Mandatory challenger for a world title and 2nd on Boxrec. In November 2018, Geovana was nominated for a LGBTI Award for Sports Personality of the year. Geovana had a long break before returning to the ring in December against Trish Vaka. This time Geovana absolutely dominated her opponent winning every round.
Shortly after her fight against Trish Vaka, Bruce Glozier announced the World title bout between Geovana Peres and Lani Daniel in a rematch for the vacant World title. Geovana Peres said on an interview with Gladrap Channel on Youtube “Its going to be a challenge, because she is a very experienced and talented boxer… but I am excited, I have been working hard and I really really want to get this fight”. Geovana Peres believe not only did she won the first bout between the two.
Lani Daniels started boxing to follow in her sister footsteps, back in 2012. Through the art of boxing, Daniels found discipline and commitment. Daniels is descendants of Te Tai Tokerau. She is from the Iwi Ngāti Hine which is part of the wider Ngāpuhi. She also belongs to the Hapū Te Orewai. In her amateur career, Daniels has fought all across New Zealand, especially in the Waikato, Auckland and Northland Regions. Lani ended up winning the New Zealand National Amateur Championships multiple times in different weight divisions and Golden Gloves Championships. Lani Daniels in this time graduated from university and became a mental health nurse.
In September 2017, Lani Daniels made her Professional boxing debut against Trish Vaka. Lani Daniels won the bout comfortably by Unanimous decision. See the bout here https://youtu.be/gWowUIZcuPU?t=5099
A couple months later, Lani Daniels too on Trish Vaka again in a rematch, but this time for the vacant New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Light Heavyweight title. Lani sister Caroline, also fought on the card making her pro debut. Lani Daniels won the bout winning her first professional boxing title. Lani Daniels with her family opened a gym in her hometown of Whangarei, to help train kids and the community to help battle against obesity and improve mental health. It is also used to help Lani train while she is away from her trainer.
Lani Daniels went on to fight Geovana Peres in March 2018 for the PBCNZ Light Heavyweight title. Daniels lost against Geovana Peres by Split Decision, however immediately after the bout Daniels family and friends performed a Haka in respect for Lani and Geovana. After this bout, Lani got herself a new trainer and Manager. Lani now trains under former World Muay Thai champion John Conway from Rebel Lee Gar. John Conway was a big name in the Boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai communities in New Zealand, winning multiple titles and a World title in China. If you combined all of his records together, Conway has fought 183 fights, winning 149 of those bouts. Lani travels to Auckland to train with John Conway regularly, especially during fight camps.
After her lose, Lani and John went straight into looking for more fights. In July 2018, Lani took on Nailini Helu to defend her NZPBA Light Heavyweight title. Lani won the title defence with easy, by outboxing her opponent and showing major improvement since moving to John Conway’s gym. See the bout here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5d3NmM04gw
After her win against Nailini Helu, Lani Daniels got a major boost by receiving a WBA ranking, ranked 9th in the Light Heavyweight division and 6th in boxrec. Lani fought again in September against Tessa Tualevao. This time the bout was in the Super Middleweight division for the vacant Pro Box NZ Super Middleweight title. Despite one difficult round, Lani won the bout with endurance and boxing skill. With her winning her second title, she became the second woman to win a New Zealand title in Multiple divisions. See the bout here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezbnQ6i4q1Q
Lani Daniels finished off her 2018 by making her TV debut in November. With hours notice, Promoter Shane Cameron asked Lani if she would like to fight in an exhibition bout on his televised card. She agreed as it helped her keep busy and treat it more as sparring. In January 2019, the Northland Sports award announced that Lani Daniels is nominated for the Sports boxing Code award for 2018. The winners will be announced on 15th of March, 2 weeks before her bout against Geovana Peres.
This will be the biggest female fight in New Zealand Boxing history, with a New Zealander guaranteed to walk away with a major World title. This event is not only taking a big step in Women’s equality, but these boxers represents multiple diverse communities. With Geovana Peres representing LGBT and the Latino Community and Lani Daniels Representing her Iwi and the Maori people.
Tickets for Geovana Peres vs Lani Daniels History in the making has just gone on sale. GA tickets cost $65 and tables ranges from $2200 – $3300 per 10 person table. Bruce Glozier announced “This is going to be a HUGE night – we have an exciting undercard featuring World title Contender Robbie Berridge, Navosa Ioata, Evander Tia, Konrad Lam and International Herman Éne’ Purcell, to name a few. Stay tuned for more details to come”. The promoter Bruce Glozier is currently in negotiations with multiple networks to get the event televised.
General Admission:
Pre ticket $65 (Table Seating)
VIP Tables:
VIP RINGSIDE corporate table: $3,300 inc GST
10 seats
Three course dinner
Beverages included
VIP SECOND ROW corporate table: $2,500 inc GST
10 seats
Three course dinner
Beverages included
VIP THIRD ROW corporate table: $2,200 inc GST
10 seats
Three course dinner
Beverages included
Dress – Black Tie standard.
Get your VIP table or pre- ticket as this will be a SOLD OUT event.
To purchase tickets Contact:
Bruce Glozier 021 256 9485
Kurt McKee 027 531 0115
Callum Butcher 027 405 9185
Terrence Batchelor 021 236 6163
John Conway 021 473 235
