Nailini Helu

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

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.

Helu made her pro boxing debut against Kirsty Lupeamanu for the promotions own Inaugural Royal Rampage Heavyweight title. The title was originally for the Super Middleweight title, however both boxers failed to make weight, so the title was upgraded to a heavyweight bout despite the belt itself was pre engraved for the Super Middleweight division. Lupeamanu was also originally scheduled to face Michelle Montague, however Montague stepped down due to focusing on Amateur MMA fights instead and Helu stepped up. Helu won all rounds of the bout on all judges scorecards for a dominant win. The bout also made history by being the first bout to have New Zealand's first female boxing referee. This fight was on the WBC World female middleweight title Kali Reis vs. Maricela Cornejo undercard. Parts of this bout was televised on TVNZ show Fresh TV.

Helu next pro fight was against Sarah Long. Long was making her pro boxing debut, however she has had 6 kickboxing bouts (3 wins 3 Loses) and 1 win in Corporate boxing. Helu knocked Long down in the first round for the first time in Helu's career. Helu won all rounds, again dominating her opponent. Shortly after the fight, it was announced that this bout was for the mandatory challenging position for the New Zealand (NZPBA version) title.

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 loses 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 the 6th of 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 suppose 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.

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 was originally scheduled to take on Cheyenne Whaanga for the New Zealand (NZPBA version) Light Heavyweight Title, however due to Whaanga receiving an injury during training, Meleisea was not able to take part. Alrie Meleisea took the fight on less than a week notice. During the bout, people describe the bout as Helu either going easy on Meleisea or Helu still recovering on the backlash. Meleisea won the bout by a massive upset Split Decision.

On 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 will be taking on Brazil born Geovana Peres at ABA Stadium on April 21 for the NZNBF version of the New Zealand National Title. This will Helu's third New Zealand title shot of her career. Peres won the bout by unanimous decision with all three judges scoring 79 - 73 and becoming the first ever LGBT person to hold a New Zealand Professional Boxing Title.

Helu trains at Pridelands boxing gym which is based in Ōtara. The gym is a community based gym that is free for everyone to use. Helu uncle Aloisio Helu, runs the gym. Helu is the older sister to Light Heavyweight boxer Panuve Helu, which is common for them to spar and train together.

• Gold 2015 New Zealand Golden Gloves Championship Heavyweight
• Gold 2015 New Zealand National Championship Heavyweight
• Gold 2014 New Zealand National Championship Heavyweight
• Silver 2014 New Zealand North Island Golden Gloves Championship Heavyweight
• Bronze 2013 New Zealand National Championship Light Heavyweight
• Silver New Zealand North Island Golden Gloves Championship Heavyweight
• Gold 2012 New Zealand National Championship Light Heavyweight

• Inaugural Royal Rampage Heavyweight Title (172¾Ibs)