(FEB 13) Some of the best boxers in the world are boxers who come from different sports that transition into combat sports. Good examples of this are Anthony Mundine (Rugby League), Sonny Bill Williams (Rugby Union, Sevens and League), Paul Gallen (Rugby League), Manny Pacquiao (Basketball), Hank Lundy (College Football), James Toney (College Football), Katie Taylor (Football/Soccer) and Roy Jones Jr (Basketball). Here are Three Maori Women from New Zealand who have played two sports.

Lani Daniels (Basketball) Ngāti Hine/Ngāpuhi from Northland

Lani Daniels began her boxing career as an amateur in the early 2010s. As an amateur, she became a two-time Amateur New Zealand Champion and won the 2015 Bobby Johnson Cup for being the Most Scientific boxer at the New Zealand National championships. In 2017 She made her professional boxing debut. During her time while winning two of her New Zealand professional titles and leading into her World title fight against Geovana Peres, She played professional basketball in New Zealand.

Between 2017 and 2018, she played two seasons in the New Zealand Womens Basketball Championships with Te Tai Tokerau Northland Phoenix playing Point Guard. She was so good, she scored the most points for her team during the 2017 season. She would usually wear the number 7 jersey. She retired from Basketball to chase her dream as a professional boxer, hoping to become a world boxing champion. She acknowledges that basketball impacted her legs, especially her feet, however, she believes it has improved her footwork in boxing.

Trish Vaka (Rugby Union) Ngāpuhi from Northland

In 2017, Trish Vaka made her professional boxing debut. She has competed against some of the very best in New Zealand including WBO World champion Geovana Peres twice, World title contender Lani Daniels twice and undefeated Australian Desley Robinson. But during this time, she also played rugby.

In 2014, Vaka began playing for the Kaikohe Womens Rugby Football Club as part of the Women's Northland Regional Rugby Championships. In 2019, Northland Kauri got to debut in the Women's Provincial Championship also known as Farah Palmer Cup. Vaka was selected as one of the original players for Northland Kauri, playing as the position Hooker or Lock. Usually, she would wear either the number 2 or number 4 jersey. She still plays for both clubs today, playing every season except for 2021. Northland has reached the Semi-Finals three times since it began in Farah Palmer with Vaka playing in two out of three of the semi-final games.

Sequita Hemingway (Rugby Union/Rugby League) Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Ngāi Tūhoe from Manawatu

Sequita Hemingway made her professional boxing debut in 2021 against the undefeated former New Zealand heavyweight Alrie Meleisea. Hemingway made shocked New Zealand with the biggest women's boxing upset in New Zealand history when she defeated Meleisea by Majority Decision. But before all of this, she was a Rugby League player and professional Rugby Union Player.

In Rugby League, Hemingway began in 2013 when she played the position of prop. She played for the teams Linton Cobras between 2013 - 2015 and Mid Central Vipers between 2016 - 2020. In Rugby Union, she began 2015 playing for Kia Toa Rugby club in 2015 to 2022 as part of the Women's Manawatu Regional Rugby Championships.

In 2017, Hemingway was selected to play for the Manawatu Cyclones in the Women's Provincial Championship also known as Farah Palmer Cup. She played for three seasons between 2017 and 2019 making 17 appearances playing as either the position of Prop or a forward of some sort. Unfortunately, Northland did not play against Manawatu in 2019 so Vaka and Hemingway did not play against each other.

Sequita Hemingway will take on Lani Daniels on March 10th at ABA Stadium. It is most likely broadcast on NZ Combat Sports Network. Vaka has not fought since 2019, however, Vaka vs Hemingway would create an interesting fight with two Rugby Players turned boxers battling it out against each other.

Social Media
Women Boxing Archive Network
Instagram: @wbanbuzz
Twitter: @wbanbuzz
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/womensboxing/

 #          #           #          #

	It's our pleasure to provide some of the top news in boxing on this site for no cost,  but (if you feel like it) you can say "Hi" and buy us a coffee here....     https://www.buymeacoffee.com/WBAN
	2023 Upcoming International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame Event - two-days - October 6-7th, 2023 - Night of the Stars" Induction Ceremony - IWBHF Tickets

WBAN / IWBHF
WBAN Instagram
WBAN Facebook

WBAN / IWBHF WEBSITES
www.womensboxing.org
www.womenboxingrecords.com
www.wban2012.com
www.wbanmember.com
www.floridaboxing.com
www.iwbhf.com
www.wban.tv
WBAN's Group Facebook