(FEB 3) The two-division world champion Lani Daniels will defend her IBF Light Heavyweight world title against Tongan-born New Zealand Nailini Helu at Taupo Events Centre on the 5th of April. But who is Nailini Helu?

The two boxers are very familiar with each other as they fought each other in professional and amateur boxing. Nailini Helu has also fought Lani's sister Caroline Daniels multiple times in the amateur boxing division, including facing each other in the 2014 and 2015 New Zealand national amateur boxing championship finals.

Nailini Helu was born in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, alongside her brother Panuve Helu. The family immigrated to New Zealand eventually and started training with legendary combat sports trainer master Lolo Heimuli at Balmoral Lee Gar. Coincidentally, Heimuli was the trainer of Muay Thai World Champion John Conway, who now trains and manages Lani Daniels. Both Nailini and Panuve showed great potential in the amateurs as they climbed the rankings.

When Nailini and Panuve transitioned to Professional boxing, they both opted to train under their uncle Aloisio Helu who gave free boxing training to the community of Ōtara and had assisted in coaching for the Tongan team at the 2011 AIBA World championship in Azerbaijan. Sadly Aloisio Helu passed away in January 2024.

Helu made her debut on the 16th of April 2016 at The Trusts Arena on the Kali Reis vs Maricela Cornejo WBC World Middleweight title undercard. She would go on to win against Kirsty Lupeamanu and Sarah Long. Sarah Long is known for being ranked in the top 10 of the WBC and for being the only boxer to beat retired WBO Light Heavyweight World champion, Geovana Peres. At this point, Helu would reach 8th in the World rankings on Boxrec.

She would go on to fight for the New Zealand title against Ange Davis in September 2016, however, the fight would end in controversy. Originally Helu was named the winner, but was later changed to a draw after one of the judges altered scorecards which were supposed to end in a draw. After the fight, Helu suffered a string of losses between 2016 and 2018, one of them against Lani Daniels.

In 2022, Helu would make a major comeback while making multiple changes, including going back to her trainer, Lolo Heimuli, at the newly reopened gym at Balmoral Lee Gar and signing on to world title promoter Bruce Glozier. Helu would win her first fight back against Hamilton's Tinta Smith for the PBCNZ version of the South Pacific Super Middleweight title by Split Decision.

In 2023, Helu would take on the current IBF World Middleweight champion, Desley Robinson. At the time, Robinson wasn't the world champion and was for the WBA Oceania title. Unfortunately, Helu lost a close Split Decision with some people believing Helu won the fight.

Helu would return in 2024 in a rematch against Tinta Smith for the vacant PBCNZ version of the South Pacific Super Middleweight title. Helu would win the fight by Majority Decision. This win would end up being very rewarding as she received a top 6 rating in the IBF and a top 7 on Boxrec. Due to receiving the rankings, she qualifies to fight for the IBF World Light Heavyweight title.

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