Geovana Peres

Geovana De Cassia Peres (born 8 February 1977) is a Brazilian born New Zealand former professional boxer who competed from 2017 to 2019. She became the first female light-heavyweight world champion, having held the WBO female title from 2019 until her retirement in January 2021.[2]

Geovana Peres
Statistics
Real nameGeovana De Cassia Peres
Nickname(s)The Shield Maiden
Weight(s)Light-heavyweight
Height5 ft 6 1⁄2 in (169 cm)
Reach66 in (168 cm)
Nationality
  • Brazilian
  • New Zealand
BornGeovana De Cassia Peres
(1977-02-08) 8 February 1977
Bueno Brandão, Minas Gerais, Brazil
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights9
Wins8
Wins by KO1
Losses1

Corporate and amateur boxing

When she was 38 years old, Geovana Peres began her boxing career at a corporate level, where she took on Teuila Laika on a charity fundraiser event for Canteen New Zealand. This was Teuila Laika third corporate boxing fight which gave her experience. Geovana won her first bout by unanimous decision, winning every round.[3] Peres went on to win Golden Gloves title and another win in the corporate division before turning pro.

Professional boxing career

In March 2017, Geovana Peres made her professional debut against veteran kickboxer Sarah Long. Long who had five wins and four losses in kick boxing, didn't start off very well in professional boxing. Long was defeated by Nailini Helu and Cheyenne Whaanga, both who were once top 10 boxers. Sarah Long made a come back by defeating Tash Pakai.[4] It was a close fight between Geovana Peres and Sarah Long, however Long experience gave her the advantage helping her take home the win by Unanimous decision.[5] Long went on to reaching top 10 in the world then challenger for the NZPBA Heavyweight title,[6] but for Geovana Peres it was back to the drawing board.

In March 2017, it was announced that Geovana Peres will take on former top 10 in the world boxing Nailini Helu for the vacant NZNBF New Zealand light heavyweight title. Helu climbed the ranks quickly in 2016, reaching 8th in the heavyweight world. But after a decision that was reversed to a draw in September 2016 and receiving a massive backlash from boxing fans, Helu went down hill. Nailini Helu went up against Alrie Meleisea twice but lost by split decision. Helu received another New Zealand title chance but this time against Geovana Peres.[7] Peres was coming off a professional loss herself, so she had to come back with something to prove. Geovana Peres won the bout by Unanimous decision, winning 7 out of 8 rounds of the fight.[8] This made her the first person that is Brazilian and first LGBT person to win a New Zealand Professional boxing title.[9]

In July 2017, Geovana Peres took on Tessa Tualevao. Tualevao at the time was only 18, however despite her very young age she had a big kickboxing experience. Geovana came in as a keep busy fight and showed her experience and skill against Tessa. Peres was too much for Tualevao as Peres knocked her down in the second round. Peres won the bout by Unanimous Decision.[10]

After her warm up fight, it was announced that Geovana Peres will be going for her second New Zealand title, taking on Trish Vaka for the PBCNZ New Zealand light heavyweight title.[11] Peres admitted that she didn't know much about Trish Vaka, as there wasn't much video material online to watch her at the time. Peres stated that she was very focused for this fight and wanted this title.[12] The fight was a close fight, however Geovana Peres came away with the victory and not only winning another New Zealand title, but becoming first women to win two different New Zealand titles.[13]

In December 2017, Geovana Peres took on Tessa Tualevao in a rematch. Peres underestimated Tualevao in the first round which gave Tessa winning the round. The second round was close however Geovana proceeded to win the rest of the bout. Peres won the bout by Unanimous Decision.[14] After the bout, in an interview with Benjamin Thomas Watt she stated "I always feel great after a win, but you know you can't underestimate you opponent and Tessa is very talented and tough girl".[15]

In March 2018, Geovana Peres defended her PBCNZ New Zealand title against Lani Daniels in their first 10-round fight.[16] Lani Daniel's is well known for being a multiple New Zealand Amateur champion.[17] She has a big amateur boxing background alongside her sister Caroline Daniels.[18] The bout against was extremely close and Peres almost was knocked down in the ninth round. Peres won the bout by a very close Split Decision. After the bout, manager of Lani Daniel's stated they are wanting to have a rematch with Peres as soon as possible.[19]

After Peres bout against Daniels, an announcement was made that big talks were in progress for a future world title bout. The plan was stated that Lani Daniels will take on Nailini Helu sometime in July or August. The winner of that bout will take on Geovana Peres in February 2019 for some sort of regional title in one of the major 4 sanctioning bodies. The winner between Geovana Peres and Lani Daniels or Nailini Helu will take on Alrie Meleisea for a World title. That world title bout will either take place late in 2019 or early 2020.[20] After the announcement of future world title plans, Geovana Peres received her first World ranking from a major boxing sanctioning body. It was announced in early April 2018, that Peres is ranked 5th in the World Boxing Association Heavyweight female rankings.[21] In July 2018, Lani Daniels defeated Nailini Helu by Unanimous decision. Lani then defeated Tessa Tualevao in September 2018. In mid 2018, Geovana rankings jumped to 1st in WBA and 2nd on Boxrec. Lani Daniels was also ranked 10th in the WBA and 8th on Boxrec. In an interview on Gladrap Channel on YouTube, Benjamin Thomas Watt who helps promoter Peres, announced that her manager is in the middle of negotiations for a World title fight. Peres was scheduled to fight Nailini Helu on 6 December 2018, however due to failing police permit, Helu was not able to fight and trish Vaka stepped in on 3 days notice. Geovana won the fight by Unanimous decision, winning every round and dominating the fight.[22]

WBO light heavyweight title
Main article: Geovana Peres vs Lani Daniels II

On 17 December 2018, it was announced that Peres will be going against Lani Daniels in a rematch for the WBO World Light Heavyweight title. The event took place on 30 March 2018 in Auckland New Zealand.[23] Geovana Peres won the inuguarl WBO world title by unanimous decision in front of a sold-out crowd. Shortly after the fight, Geovana Peres signed a three-fight deal with Rival Sports Promotion NZ, which is managed by Bruce Glozier and Steve Deane.

Main article: Geovana Peres vs Claire Hafner

On 30 July 2019, Geovana Peres promoter, Bruce Glozier, announced that Peres will defend her WBO World Women's light heavyweight title against Claire Hafner at Sky City Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand on 4 October 2019.[24] Peres started promoting the fight by doing boxing training pad works on the Sky walk 193 metres off the ground on the Sky Tower.[25] Peres won the bout by Referee stoppage between the 8th and the 9th round.

On 26 January 2021, it was announced that Geovana Peres had officially retired from boxing, ending her career as a world champion.[26]

Amateur boxing titles
  • 2016 New Zealand North Island Golden Gloves Gold medallist[27]
    • Defeated Ruby Tefuga 3–0[28]

Professional boxing titles
  • New Zealand National Boxing Federation
    • New Zealand National Light Heavyweight Title[29]
  • Professional Boxing Commission New Zealand
    • New Zealand National Light Heavyweight Title (174¾ Ibs)[30]
  • World Boxing Organisation
    • World Light Heavyweight Title (172 Ibs)

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
9 fights 8 wins 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By decision 7 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
9 Win 8–1 Claire Hafner RTD 8 (10), 2:00 4 Oct 2019 SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand Retained WBO female light-heavyweight title
8 Win 7–1 Lani Daniels UD 10 30 Mar 2019 SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant WBO female light-heavyweight title
7 Win 6–1 Trish Vaka UD 6 6 Dec 2018 Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
6 Win 5–1 Lani Daniels SD 10 16 Mar 2018 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Retained PBCNZ female light-heavyweight title
5 Win 4–1 Tessa Tualevao UD 4 14 Dec 2017 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
4 Win 3–1 Trish Vaka UD 8 13 Oct 2017 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant PBCNZ female light-heavyweight title
3 Win 2–1 Tessa Tualevao UD 4 1 Jul 2017 Manurewa Netball Centre, Manurewa, New Zealand
2 Win 1–1 Nailini Helu UD 8 21 Apr 2017 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant NZNBF female light-heavyweight title
1 Loss 0–1 Sarah Long UD 4 10 Mar 2017 ABA Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

Research

In 2012, Geovana Peres was credited for contributing to research at Auckland University at their Liggins Institute. The research was about pregnant obese women exercising during pregnancy and the effects on the offspring and their own health. Peres was the assistant physiologist for the research. The Research article was released in 2014.[31]

Personal life

In July 2018, Geovana Peres became a New Zealand citizen.

Awards and recognitions
  • 2018 New Zealand LGBTI Awards Sports Personality of the Year (Nominated)[32]
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Best looking female boxer of the year (Nominated)
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Champion of the year (Won)
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Knockout of the year (Nominated)
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards International fight of the year (Nominated)
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards New Zealand Fight of the year (Won)
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Female Boxer of the Year (Won)[33]
  • 2019 Gladrap Boxing Awards Boxer of the Year (Won)[34]

References
  1. "Boxing record for Geovana Peres". BoxRec.
  2. "Recap: Geovana Peres v Lani Daniels – WBO women's light-heavyweight title clash". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  3. "Ringside Fight Night 13 Fight 1 – TEUILA 'BUTTERFLY' LAIKA VS GEOVANA 'SHIELD-MAIDEN' PERES". Youtube. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  4. "Sarah Long Named as Opponent for Alrie Meleisea in Bid for NZ Heavyweight Title". Women of Boxing. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  5. "Alrie Meleisea defeats Nailini Helu at ABA Stadium". World Boxing News. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  6. "Alrie Meleisea vs. Sarah Long is On". Women boxing. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  7. "Nailini Helu handed NZNBF title chance on April 21". World Boxing News. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  8. "New Zealand celebrates first LGBT champion in Geovana Peres". World Boxing News. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  9. "Cancer survivor talks about struggle with sexuality in boxing industry". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  10. "Peres makes impressive Performance/Wilson Debuts". Women Boxing. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  11. "Geovana Peres goes for second Title". New Zealand Fighter. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  12. "A quick and quiet rise to the top for national boxing champion Geovana Peres". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  13. "Geovana Peres wins second NZ title". New Zealand Fighter. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  14. "Main Event: Tessa Tualevao (78.5kg) vs Geovana Peres (77.4kg) – Xmas Bash 14Dec17". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  15. "Geovana Peres makes impressive Performance ""Let's see what the future brings I love boxing "". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  16. "March 16: Geovana Peres Defends her PBCNZ New Zealand Light Heavyweight Title Against NZPBA New Zealand Champion Lani Daniels". Women of Boxing. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  17. "Lani Daniels targets Olympics after winning national boxing title". Waikato Times. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  18. "Daniels sisters making their mark in the ring". Waikato Times. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  19. "Geovana Peres Successfully defends her title". WomenBoxing. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  20. "Watch Out World, The Championship Plan for New Zealand Heavyweights". Women of Boxing. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  21. "New Zealand's Geovana Peres Cracks into the WBA Rankings at Number 5". Women of Boxing. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  22. "Geovana Peres dominates late replacement opponent". World Boxing News. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  23. "Kiwis Geovana Peres and Lani Daniels to fight for world boxing title". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  24. "Boxing: Kiwi Geovana Peres to defend WBO title against Canadian Claire Hafner". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  25. "Kiwi boxing champion Geovana Peres to defend title". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  26. "GEOVANA PERES ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT". New Zealand fighter. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  27. "Geovana Peres Profile". Boxrec Wiki Profile. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  28. "Geovana Peres Profile". Awakening Fighters. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  29. "Peres vs Helu". Boxrec Fight Wiki. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  30. "Fight:2183423". Boxrec Fight Wiki. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  31. "Geovana Peres Profile". Research gate. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  32. "Geovana Peres has become #1 in the WBA, in negotiations for a major world title fight". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  33. "Gladrap Awards 2019". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  34. "Gladrap Awards 2019 winners". Gladrap Channel. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
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