Lani Daniels Pulls Off Stunning Upset to Win Unified Super Middleweight Titles at MSG

Let me break this down for you — because this was one of the biggest upsets in women's boxing in years. On Friday night at Madison Square Garden's Infosys Theater, New Zealand's Lani Daniels (12-4-2, 2 KOs) stopped the heavily favoured Shadasia Green to win the unified IBF, WBO, and Ring Magazine super middleweight world titles. The fight was stopped just 24 seconds into the ninth round, and the boxing world is still processing what happened.

Green (16-2, 11 KOs) entered the ring as the clear favourite, armed with superior power and a devastating knockout record. But Daniels had other plans. The New Zealander, known for her relentless pressure and iron chin, gradually wore Green down through the middle rounds. By the eighth, the champion looked exhausted and visibly struggled to maintain her composure. When the bell rang for the ninth, Green barely made it off her stool and could not leave her corner. Daniels seized the moment, unloading with a series of unanswered punches that forced referee Eric Dali to wave off the contest.

The victory gave Daniels something extraordinary — world titles in three different weight classes. She previously held the IBF heavyweight title and the IBF light heavyweight title, making her one of the most versatile champions in women's boxing history. Moving down to super middleweight and capturing unified belts against a younger, more powerful opponent makes this achievement all the more remarkable.

The night took a concerning turn after the stoppage, however. Green was taken from the ring on a stretcher and later diagnosed with a brain bleed. Thankfully, reports confirmed that she was alert, breathing normally, and that no surgery was needed. It was a sobering reminder of the risks fighters take every time they step through the ropes, and the boxing community has rallied around Green with messages of support and wishes for a full recovery.

New to women's boxing? No worries — it is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world right now, and upsets like this are exactly why. The super middleweight division (that is 168 pounds, or about 76 kilograms) is one of eight women's weight classes, and it is producing some of the most exciting fights in the sport. If you enjoyed reading about Daniels' story, keep an eye on the division — there will undoubtedly be a rematch in the pipeline. For now, Daniels stands on top of the world. What a fighter.