- Lani Daniels stopped Shadasia Green in Round 9 at MSG Infosys Theater to win the unified IBF and WBO super-middleweight titles — a massive upset on the MVPW 02 chief-support
- Green was floored by a sustained barrage in the opening 30 seconds of Round 9, the referee waved it off, and medical staff attended immediately
- Green was taken from the ring on a stretcher in a frightening scene — promoter Mike Leanardi confirmed post-fight she was conscious, talking and en route to hospital for further assessment
- Daniels, the New Zealand veteran, becomes unified super-middleweight champion with one of the biggest upsets of the year
Right then, let's handle the important part first. Shadasia Green was taken out of the ring on a stretcher last night. That is the headline that matters. The promotion's head of boxing, Mike Leanardi, confirmed post-fight that Green was conscious, awake, talking and moving on the way to hospital. The ESPN broadcast confirmed the same. The initial signs are as good as they can be in a scary situation — but anyone who watched live will tell you how long that ring held its breath. Nothing else matters until Green is home and healthy.
With that said, and only with that said, let's talk about what happened in the fight. Because the result is the biggest upset of the year in women's boxing.
Lani Daniels — Proper Champion
Lani Daniels. Remember the name if you haven't been paying attention. The New Zealander has been grinding away for years at cruiserweight, heavyweight and super-middleweight, travelling the world, taking fights on short notice, winning belts nobody was watching. She came into last night a heavy underdog against an unbeaten, slick-boxing, fast-handed Green — and she beat her up. Properly beat her up. No controversy. No robbery talk. She out-worked, out-hit and out-willed the champion over eight rounds and finished the job in the ninth.
If you know, you know — Daniels has always been dangerous. The question was whether she could hold her own technically against a fighter with Green's hand speed and schooling. The answer last night was a resounding yes. She worked the body. She cut the ring. She forced Green into wars she did not want. And when Green's output dropped in the eighth, Daniels sensed the end.
The Ninth Round
The ninth was ugly. Daniels came out of her corner and walked straight through Green with a right hand that landed flush. Green's legs dipped. Daniels knew. What followed was a 20-second sustained barrage against the ropes — hooks, uppercuts, shots that were landing cleanly and were not being returned. Green's head was moving but her hands were low. The referee stepped in at 30 seconds of the round. He did not step in a moment too soon.
Credit the referee. Credit the corner. Credit medical who were on Green the instant it was waved off. Everyone in there did the right thing.
The Stretcher Moment
Green went back to her corner under her own steam — just. She did not look right on the stool. She was slow to respond. The ringside medical team were in and out, calling for more help, and the decision was made quickly to immobilise her neck, strap her to a board, and take her out on a stretcher. It was the right decision. Anyone who has ever seen this kind of scene in a boxing ring knows the protocol is there for a reason, and it was followed to the letter.
Mike Leanardi of Most Valuable Promotions spoke to media shortly after. The key line — Green was awake, talking, and being taken to a local hospital for assessment. That is the best possible news from a scary moment. We'll update as more comes through.
What It Means — Sporting Side
Setting the health scare to one side for a minute, because the sporting story still matters. Lani Daniels is the new unified IBF and WBO super-middleweight champion of the world. She walks back to New Zealand with two world title belts and the biggest night of her career in the books. And the super-middleweight division has just been blown wide open.
Claressa Shields holds two of the four belts. Green held the other two. Daniels now owns those. The undisputed fight is now Daniels versus Shields, and make no mistake, that is a brilliant fight. Shields is the bigger name, the bigger puncher and the bigger star — but Daniels has just proved she can handle a slick boxer who hits. Do not sleep on her.
The more interesting question is whether the MVPW / Most Valuable Promotions machine can get Shields to take that fight this year. Shields has been chasing a Lauren Price superfight at the end of 2026. If that falls through, Daniels has just kicked the door down.
Get Well Soon, Shadasia
We'll leave it there for now. The result was the result, and Daniels was the better fighter on the night by a clear margin. But this sport is dangerous. Every fighter who laces up knows it. Every fan who watches knows it. Shadasia Green is 31 years old, has a young son, and gave everything she had last night in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd. Our thoughts are with her and her family tonight, and the whole boxing community will be willing her back to full health.
Get well soon, champ. The belts can wait.