Kiwi boxer Mea Motu has been confirmed to fight for an IBO super-bantamweight women's crown at Auckland in April.
While fight details are yet to be confirmed, the IBO website is already promoting an April 1 (NZ time) contest between the four-division NZ champion and Canadian Tania Walters for a title that has been vacant since 2019, when Frenchwoman Segolene Lefebvre relinquished the belt.
"Mea is NZ sport's best-kept secret," said promoter Dean Lonergan. "Boxing fans know her and just how good she is, but the average NZ sports fan probably hasn't heard of her.
"That's going to change very soon. Mea is every bit as talented as the likes of David Tua, Joseph Parker and Israel Adesanya.
"She's going to transcend the sport."
Motu, 33, has a 15-0 professional record, accumulating NZ titles in lightweight, super-lightweight, featherweight and super-featherweight titles along the way.
Her last outing was a split-decision victory over Iranian Nastaran Fathi for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental super-bantamweight title at Duabi, her first offshore pro fight.
"The chance to fight for a world title at home is a dream come true," said Motu. "I'll be fighting for my whanau and everyone who has helped me along the way.
"I'm coming for all the titles and I'm not stopping until I have them."
Beyond her next bout, Motu has already set her sights on IBO featherweight champion Amanda Serrano of Cuba.
"Mea's beaten everyone there is to beat in her own backyard," said trainer Isaac Peach. "In her last three fights, she has stepped up to face international opponent and has been every bit as dominant, so she's ready."
