Uncut Diamond Daniella

Daniella Smith – the most famous NZ sportswoman – that you’ve probably never heard of. A single mum from Kaikohe who rose to become boxing champion of the world.

Hosted by Daniella Smith

Image of Daniella Smith in boxing gear. The words "Uncut Diamond Daniella" appear to the right of her head. The word "diamond" has diamond shapes in between each letter.

Follow this podcast

RSS

Get this podcast straight from the source in the free RNZ app: Apple App Store or Google Play

That Dark Alley

Episode 1
So, who’s going to tell my story? Daniella dismisses all the other contenders and takes over the mic. Telling how she rocked up to the Maritime Boxing Gym – a male bastion in the late 90’s – welcomed in, she found whānau and her future as a fighting wahine. 
Contains discussion of suicide.
Large title saying: "Episode 1: That dark alley" and a small black and white image of Daniella Smith.

Going Pro

Episode 2
One fight and Daniella was hooked. 40 amateur bouts and five gold medals later she was ready to turn professional.  Boxing experts were comparing her to one of the American greats – The Coalminers Daughter, but how would she go in the ring when the stakes got higher.
Large title saying: "Episode 2: Going Pro" and a small black and white image of Daniella Smith.

Sugar Ray & Monty

Episode 3
Two greats would inspire Daniella to greatness. The first, a household name – Sugar Ray Leonard, who told her to make boxing her life. The second – rugby league legend Monty Betham - chasing her around Auckland Domain like a man possessed. In this episode, Daniella describes sacrifices she had to make to achieve her dreams.
Large title saying: "Episode 13: Sugar Ray & Monty" and a small black and white image of Daniella Smith with some other people behind her.

Title Shot

Episode 4
Daniella’s won the fight of her life against Jennifer Retzke for the IBF Welterweight World Championship. Her heroic arrival back to Auckland is overtaken by a deep sense of sadness. She struggles to accept her sudden fame and hard-won success. Then a moment of reckoning - Daniella, the world champ, has to get on a plane to South Africa to defend her title. One fighter will end up on the canvas.
Contains discussion of suicide.
Large title saying: "Episode 4: Title shot" and a small black and white image of Daniella Smith fighting with her competitor.

World Famous

Episode 5
Daniella Smith has poured everything into her dream of becoming the best boxer in the world. And made it. But what now? Retirement, one of her old boxing foes says, is to stop being a fighter and go back to being an ordinary woman. How will she cope? Working with women who've experienced domestic violence triggers some old memories. Then out of the blue - a trip to Las Vegas.
Contains references to domestic violence
Large title saying: "Episode 5: World famous" and a small black and white image of Daniella Smith.

Introducing: Uncut Diamond Daniella

Trailer
In a sports-mad country - why has no-one heard of Daniella Smith? One-time Welterweight Boxing Champion of the World. The single mother from Kaikohe overcame male prejudice and all the odds to become the very best. Daniella dreamed and won big, then lost herself. Taking the world title, then watching her own world fall apart. 
Supplementary image for episode: Introducing: Uncut Diamond Daniella

Other podcasts
like this one

More podcasts with similar themes or ideas that you might enjoy.

  • Witi Ihimaera looks up. Behind him and going over his shoulders is a graphic of water. Centered at the bottom is text that reads: "Witi Underwater."

    Witi Underwater

    Witi Ihimaera throws himself into a full-immersion Māori language course.

  • Image of Kura Turuwhenua, Brett Graham and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku smiling with te reo Maori word "Tukua" in neon blue behind them.

    Tukua

    Exploring an intergenerational response to arts and cultural events.

  • An abstract triangular pattern in forest greens. Text reads: "Te Oho Ake"

    Te Oho Ake

    A kōrero series about reaching success, personal struggles & life’s big lessons.

  • An illustration of two hands holding a round, yellow object with intricate green and red patterns. The background is a light blue color. The title "HE KĀKANO AHAU: WAWATATIA" is written in bold red and green letters at the bottom.

    He Kākano Ahau

    Stories that are rooted in our past to dream about the futures we want to create

  • Two Whakamāori hosts stand in front of tiles of different brown colours. The text behind them reads: "WHAKAMĀORI."

    Whakamāori

    Join the Whakamāori crew to learn, wānanga and have fun in te reo Māori.

  • The title of the programme "Nau Mai Town" in the style of iconic New Zealand road signs

    Nau Mai Town

    Travelling Aotearoa to learn about place names and their origins.

  • A female form drifts submerged in murky water, reflected above her is an ephemeral image of herself. The words "The River" are imposed over the image.

    The River

    A spine-tingling scripted series with a Māori twist, and immersive audio.