Latest news with #SmilingAssassin
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels Preview, Date, Time and How to Watch
Claressa Shields-Lani Daniels Claressa Shields will put her undisputed heavyweight title on the line on Saturday, July 26 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Shields' opponent will be Lani Daniels, a relative unknown, but who is she, and does she have a chance to win? First, here's the viewing information: Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Daniels technically has an opportunity to shock the world, but let's be real—this is a massive uphill climb. The 36-year-old from New Zealand has a solid story. She's held IBF world titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight, and she's earned respect in her home country. They call her the 'Smiling Assassin,' and she's been a pro for eight years. Before that, she was a mental health nurse and a national amateur champ. Her record is respectable at 11-2-2. But here's the thing—only one of those wins came by knockout. That's the red flag. To beat someone like Shields, you've either got to outbox her (which no one has been able to do) or carry real power that can make her think twice. Daniels doesn't have either. She's already made history as the first Māori-born New Zealander to win world titles in two weight classes. That's meaningful, but none of it will help her overcome this stiff challenge. She picked up the IBF heavyweight title in May 2023, then dropped to win the light heavyweight version later that year. In women's boxing, especially at higher weights, it's not uncommon to see this back-and-forth movement. Sometimes the ladies are switching classes just to find an opponent. Daniels is riding a nine-fight unbeaten streak coming in, including a TKO over Razel Mohammed—her only stoppage win to date. Aside from the streaks and stats, the truth lies in the level of competition the fighters have faced. Shields has faced and defeated all comers. She's 16-0; a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the only fighter in history—male or female—to become undisputed in three different weight classes. She's cleaned out 154, 160, and 168. Now she's at heavyweight, not because it's her optimal class, but because there's no one left for her at the lower divisions—and cutting that kind of weight is only getting harder with time. There's a serious gap in speed, power, and experience. Shields has faced elite competition. Daniels hasn't fought anyone even near that level. The odds reflect the reality: Shields is a minus-2000 favorite. Daniels sits at plus-950. This isn't a 50-50 fight. It's not even 70-30. This is a showcase, and Shields is likely to dominate every round. The best-case scenario is that Daniels survives the full ten rounds, which is likely the New Zealander's goal. I'll have more fight week coverage and the post-fight info on Saturday. Stay tuned.
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Gerda Steyn taking time off in UK, but still more to come from the Smiling Assassin in 2025
TAKING TIME OFF Gerda Steyn, after a successful season winning the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons, is enjoying a summer break in the UK but is set to compete in a major race later this year, likely aiming to reclaim her South African women's marathon record at the Valencia Marathon. Picture: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Following another incredible season of road running in South Africa in which Gerda Steyn won both the Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon titles, the Smiling Assassin is finally taking some well-deserved time off. Currently spending time in what should be the warmer climbs of the UK in summer, Steyn is still coming down from the high of winning her fourth Comrades Marathon title on June 8. It was also her third consecutive title at 'The Ultimate Human Race'. Though Steyn was enjoying the warmer weather abroad, she hinted on Facebook she would still be running another major race before the year is out.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Gerda Steyn's total earnings from winning the 2025 Comrades Marathon
GOOD DAY AT THE OFFICE Gerda Steyn earned a total of R1,644,000 from winning the 2025 Comrades Marathon, combining her first-place prize with additional performance bonuses. Picture: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Media While the winner's cheque of R874,000 would have seemed like a great payday for women's Comrades Marathon champion Gerda Steyn on Sunday, it turns out the Smiling Assassin earned almost double that in total. In addition to her first-place prize of R874,000, Steyn earned R550,000 for the best average pace in the women's race, R220,000 as the first SA athlete home, and a handy R50,000 for reaching the Cell C Hot Spot first in the latter stages of the run. If you add all that up, it totals a whopping R1 644,000. Most people would quip 'not bad for a day's work', when in actual fact the performances of Steyn have been built through years of dedication and hard work in training to reach this point.
IOL News
08-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Steyn secures fourth Comrades, grateful for rising competition
Gerda Steyn won hewre fourth Comrades on Sunday. Photo: Leon Lestrade Independent Media Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Media The reign is likely to continue unabated — at least for the foreseeable future. But there's every reason to believe it will not be the no-contest it had been in previous years. Gerda Steyn's fourth victory in the Comrades Marathon was not as compellingly dominant as her previous three. The Smiling Assassin beat second-placed Alexandra Morozova by just three minutes, clocking 5:51:09 in Sunday's Down Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Steyn sportingly welcomed the challenge, with the Russian runner — who won three years ago in her absence — just a minute behind at one stage of the race. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'To have had that competition was also good, not just for me to raise my performance but also for the race,' Steyn said, during the post-race media conference deep in the bowels of the Moses Mabhida Stadium. 'It is no surprise to see a tight time of only three minutes between us, because Alexandra had done well. We can expect faster times to come — and Comrades deserves it.' The Hollywood Athletics Club star said she relishes being challenged and enjoys seeing more talented runners enter the race because 'it is exciting to get competition. "As I said in the pre-race conference," she added, "we are entertainers, and I hope it (the race) was great to watch. It is not a one-woman show. "When I heard Alex (Morozova) had gained a minute on me at Fields Hill, it made me work harder. The competition makes me want to be in my very best shape whenever I go into the race.' Queen of Comrades! 👑🇿🇦 Gerda Steyn crossed the finish line in 5:51:19 to secure her 4th Comrades Marathon title! A phenomenal performance from Gerda.🏃♀️🔥#Comrades2025 #TeamSA #ForMyCountry — Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) June 8, 2025
IOL News
04-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Can anyone challenge Gerda Steyn 'The Smiling Assassin' at the Comrades Marathon?
DIFFICULT TO PREDICT? Gerda Steyn (pictured), a three-time Comrades Marathon champion and six-time Two Oceans winner, faces strong competition from Irvette van Zyl, who possesses incredible speed and endurance, as they prepare for the Comrades Marathon down run in Pietermaritzburg. Picture: Henk Kruger Independent Media Gerda Steyn will once again have a massive target on her back when she lines up in Pietermaritzburg for the Comrades Marathon down run on Sunday. That's for good reason though, as the three-time champion will be difficult to beat if her race goes according to plan. Last year, Steyn's incredible time of five hours, 49 minutes and 46 seconds (5:49:56) bettered her own 'up-run' record by almost 10 minutes. 'The Smiling Assassin' will also be looking to achieve the 'rare double' of winning the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon in the same year for the fourth time.
