World boxing champion Lani Daniels, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, trains at her friend Caroline Kreutzkamp’s home in Orem on Friday, April 10, 2026. Daniels’ next fight is at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Sports have “sacred spaces” — those revered locales synonymous with athletic events across generations.For baseball, it’s Fenway Park or Wrigley Field. In golf, Augusta National.

For horse racing, Churchill Downs. And in car racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Boxing’s sacred space? New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Famously located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the circular venue has played host to almost all the Sweet Science legends: Ali. Louis. Marciano.

Frazier. Tyson. Utah’s Gene Fullmer. And both Sugar Rays — Robinson and Leonard.

World boxing champion Lani Daniels, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, trains at her friend Caroline Kreutzkamp’s home in Orem on Friday, April 10, 2026. Daniels’ next fight is at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News But on Friday night, those Garden legends will make room inside the ropes for an affable Latter-day Saint woman who enjoys a good scrap.And like those boxing greats that preceded her in the MSG ring, Lani Daniels hopes to make history. The New Zealand native will fight for the WBO/IBF super middleweight title against reigning belt-holder Shadasia Green in an 8 p.m.

MDT title bout broadcast on ESPN. Daniels knows Madison Square Garden’s boxing mystique. And she’s a self-declared boxing fan.“I want to move like Sugar Ray — but when I’m forcefully punching, I try to mimic Marvin Hagler,” she said, flashing a big grin before throwing a swift pair of jabs at an imaginary opponent.

But don’t expect the “The Smiling Assassin” — who long ago decided not to fight on Sundays — to be overwhelmed by her historic surroundings Friday. Title fights are nothing new to Daniels. She’s already held world championship belts in two divisions.

World boxing champion Lani Daniels, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, smiles after a training session at her friend Caroline Kreutzkamp’s home in Orem on Friday, April 10, 2026. Daniels’ next fight is at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News And, as Daniels told the Deseret News during a recent Utah visit, she plans to walk out of Madison Square Garden with a third belt. But regardless of the bout’s outcome Friday, expect Daniels to once again hold her head and gloves high, representing her family, her country, her Maori heritage — and her Latter-day Saint faith.“Lani is known to be ‘The Smiling Assassin’ — and she does indeed have a beautiful smile,” observed family friend and Orem resident Caroline Kreutzkamp.“But it’s her beautiful soul that you remember long afterwards.”Strength in Latter-day Saint faith and Maori culture World boxing champion Lani Daniels, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, unwraps her hands after training at her friend Caroline Kreutzkamp’s home in Orem on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Daniels’ next fight is at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News So how did a 37-year old Latter-day Saint Relief Society sister from a small Maori village find herself plying her trade on multiple continents and in front of global audiences?Truth be told, Daniels didn’t lace up the boxing gloves for the first time several years ago with any visions of Madison Square Garden. She was initially just trying to get a bit healthier.“Honestly, it’s been a weight management journey for me,” said Daniels. “Boxing has been a tool that I’ve used to manage my weight.”But her long arc in the sport is also deeply connected to family.

For several generations, Daniels’ family has belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. She points proudly to her devoted parents — and a “strong line of women” who were all devout Latter-day Saints, and proud Maoris.“The church and the Maori culture align so well because family is the core of it all. … We all go to church because we are all family,” she said.Daniels traces God’s hand in her life, even during dark moments far more painful than anything she’s endured battling pro fighters inside the ring.Finding comfort inside the ropes World boxing champion Lani Daniels, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, right, trains with her sister Caroline Daniels, left, at her friend Caroline Kreutzkamp’s home in Orem on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Daniels’ next fight is at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Daniels was still a teen when her young brother Tukaha lost his battle with cancer. He was 11-years-old.“After he passed,” she remembered, “I kind of swirled.”Experiencing deep grief, Daniels remembers doing “eve