December 04, 2023
Wāhine bring boxing pride home
Boxers Mea Motu from Te Rarawa, and Lani Daniels from Ngapuhi, say fighting at home in Te Tai Tokerau in front of their whānau and communities, played a huge part in their weekend wins.
Daniels won the IBF light heavyweight women’s title, while Motu dominated in her successful defence of her IBO super bantamweight world title.
Mea Motu says both she and Daniels hope their success can be an inspiration to rangatahi anywhere – but especially in many of their struggling Northland communities.
“It only gives our children that belief that they can be in our shoes too. It doesn’t have to be boxing. It can be in any sport, or any education, or whatever they choose to do – that they can do it,” she says,
Motu and Daniels say they will take time to let their wins sink in, before deciding on their next moves.