Nailini Helu

After being away from the ring for 64 weeks, Nailini Helu returned to professional boxing against Lani Daniels on 14 July 2018 at Auckland Netball Centre in St Johns, Auckland, New Zealand. It was announced on June 6 that the bout between the two will happen with Lani Daniels New Zealand National (NZPBA Version) Light Heavyweight title will be on the line. The two have fought before back in the amateurs multiple times. Daniels won the bout by unanimous decision.

On July 21, Benjamin Thomas Watt announced his first boxing promotion to happen on 24 September at ABA Stadium. Helu was the main event of the evening, taking on Ange Davis for the New Zealand (NZPBA version) & UBF Asia Pacific Heavyweight Titles. Ange Davis making her pro boxing debut have fought in 10 kickboxing bouts (5 wins 4 losses 1 draw) and has held the TBANZ Women's middleweight title. The bout was in jeopardy where Davis suffered an ankle injury, however after recent scans, the doctor are pretty confident that Davis will be medically cleared to fight. Helu was the favoured to win the bout and was likely to receive a world title shot within the next year if she kept up her winning streak. The bout itself was close throughout the fight, however the fight of the night ended by a split decision Win to Helu. After the bout, there was a massive backlash all across social media with people thinking Davis won the bout. The backlash got so bad that people were sending abuse to Helu, the promoter and even to the judges themselves. On 26 September, Ange Davis and her team launched an appeal with NZPBA, due to poor judging. On 6 October, NZPBA announced that the panel looked into the scorecards of the judges and found that one of the judges incorrectly added up their card. They originally 58/56 in favour of Helu, however when calculating the card it was indeed supposed to be 57/57 a draw, making this decision a split decision draw. The judge that made this error has been stood down and regulations on all NZ title bouts have been changed. The decision of the bout was over turned to a draw, Helu two belts to be stripped and the two must have a rematch with 6 months of their bout (expiring 24 March 2017) or face risk of losing their mandatory positions. On 26 December, Māori Television televised this fight on the combat show called Whawhai Fight Night.

In January 2017, it was announced that Helu will have a rematch against Alrie Meleisea in March 2017 at ABA Stadium for the vacant NZPBA and vacant UBF Asia Pacific Heavyweight title. Planning the bout was difficult for the promoter, due to the rematch clause in the Helu vs Ange Davis appeal. During training, Davis suffered a serious shoulder injury that would bring her away from the ring passed the 6 month expiry rematch clause day of March 24. Due to this, Helu and Meleisea were allowed to fight for the vacant titles, with the winner to face Davis when she is healed 100%. Helu lost the bout by a controversial split decision.

Helu was originally scheduled to fight Victoria Nansen on 8 October 2016. However, due to the backlash of Helu vs Davis bout, it took a big toll on Helu mental health and was unable to take part in the bout let alone train. Kirsty Lupeamanu took on the on a weeks notice and winning the bout by Majority decision.

Helu has won multiple Amateur titles and has peaked 8th on BoxRec, 6th UBF, 10th WBF, 8th WIBA, top 2 in WBA Oceania and 10th WBC female professional boxing rankings.

Nailini Inaise Vae Helu (born 20 November 1993, Nukualofa, Tonga) is a professional boxer who lives in New Zealand. Helu is the world's first Tongan professional female boxer.