Australian Boxer Cherneka Johnson

Cherneka Johnson is a New Zealand-born Australian professional boxer. She is a two-weight world champion, currently holding the WBA female bantamweight world title, having previously been the IBF female super-bantamweight world champion.

Born on March 3, 1995, in Tauranga, New Zealand, Cherneka "Sugar Neekz" Johnson represents Australia in international competition. She started boxing in the amateur division in 2011 after moving to Australia. Competing in four AIBA World Boxing Amateur Championships, she won the 2011 Junior World Championships, placed 5th in the 2013 Youth World Championships, and reached the top 16 in the Elite World Championships in 2012 and 2014. Cherneka has also won multiple national titles, including three Australian national championships and three Golden Gloves championships, ending her amateur career with over 60 fights.

Cherneka Johnson began her professional boxing career in 2016, winning against Napaporn Ruengsuwan by second-round stoppage. That year, she also defeated Atitaya Saisin and Daorueng Pakkhetanang via unanimous decision, and knocked down Ratsadaporn Khiaosopa in the first round.

In 2017, Cherneka's success continued as she won fights against Carol Earl and Saowaluk Nareepangsri via unanimous decision and Febriyanti Lubis via TKO. At the year's end, she claimed her first professional title by defeating Gretel de Paz for the WBA Oceania Bantamweight title via unanimous decision.

On March 17, 2018, at The Melbourne Pavilion in Flemington, Cherneka faced Rungnapha Kaewkrachang for the WIBA World Bantamweight title, winning via TKO in the second round. In August 2018, she secured her tenth professional victory by knocking out Thailand's Siriphon Chanbuala in the second round.

Throughout 2019, Cherneka maintained her unbeaten record with victories over Kirti, Arasa Nimnoi, and Nurshahidah Roslie. However, she took a two-year break from professional boxing before returning in 2021 to fight Shannon O’Connell for the vacant WBA Gold World Bantamweight title, losing via split decision.

In April 2022, Cherneka fought Melissa Esquivel for the vacant IBF World Super Bantamweight title, winning via majority decision. Later that year, she defended her title against Susie Ramadan at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, winning via unanimous decision.

In June 2023, Cherneka defended her IBF World Super Bantamweight title for the second time against Ellie Scotney at Wembley Arena in the UK. Unfortunately, she lost via unanimous decision after suffering a cut over her right eye in the 6th round due to a head clash.

In May 2024, Cherneka Johnson captured the WBA World Bantamweight title by defeating Nina Hughes via majority decision at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Cherneka Johnson's journey is marked by determination and resilience. From her amateur beginnings to becoming a two-weight world champion, her story inspires many in the boxing world.

Cherneka Johnson photos