Cherneka Johnson: Difference between revisions

Cherneka Johnson
Cherneka Johnson
Born	Cherneka Lee Johnson; 3 March 1995 (age 29); Tauranga, New Zealand
Nationality	Australian
Other names	Sugar Neekz
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Bantamweight; Super bantamweight;
Stance	Orthodox
	Boxing record
Total fights	18
Wins	16
Wins by KO	6
Losses	2
Women's Boxing
Representing Australia
AIBA Women’s Junior World; Boxing Championships Games

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Revision as of 09:03, 12 May 2024

Cherneka Johnson (born 3 March 1995) is a New Zealand-Australian professional boxer. Born in New Zealand, she represents Australia in international competition.^[1] She is a two-weight world champion currently holding the WBA female bantamweight World title having previously been IBF female super-bantamweight World champion.

Amateur career

Johnson began her boxing career in the amateur division in 2011 after she moved to Australia.^[2] When fighting in international competitions she would represent Australia. In the four AIBA World Boxing Amateur Championships she has won the 2011 Junior World Championships, came 5th in the 2013 Youth World Championships and reached top 16 in the Elite World Championships in 2012 and 2014. She has won multiple National titles including three Australian national championships and three Golden Gloves championships. Johnson ended her amateur boxing career, competing in over 60 amateur boxing fights.^[3]

Amateur boxing titles

2011 AIBA Women's Junior World Boxing Championships Games
2012 China Youth world championships
2014 China elite world championships
Five time Queensland State Champion
Three time Australian National Champion
Three time Golden Gloves Champion

Professional career

Debut to Regional Champion 2016 - 2018

Johnson made her professional boxing debut in 2016 against Thailand Napaporn Ruengsuwan who was also making their professional debut. Johnson won the fight by second round stoppage.^[3] After two more wins, Johnson ended her 2016 year with the fourth fight in her career, taking on Thailand boxer Ratsadaporn Khiaosopa. This was the second time in her career where Johnson won the fight by stoppage, but this time in the first round.^[4] After a successful 2017, Johnson last fight of the year was against Filipino Boxer Gretel de Paz for the WBA Oceania Bantamweight title. Johnson won the fight by Unanimous Decision. A few months later, Johnson fought for the WIBA World Bantamweight title against Thailand boxer Rungnapha Kaewkrachang. Johnson won the fight by stoppage. After the fight, Johnson peaked in the world boxing rankings second in the IBF and sixth in the WBA.^[5] In August 2018, Johnson competed in her tenth professional boxing fight against Thailand boxer Siriphon Chanbuala.^[6] Johnson won the fight by second round Knockout.^[7]

2019 - 2024: World titles

In 2019, Johnson had a very successful year, defeating top boxers including Kirti, Arasa Nimnoi, and Nurshahidah Roslie.^[5] Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Johnson was not able to fight during 2020. In March 2021, Johnson fought Shannon O'Connell for the WBA Gold World Bantamweight title. The fight was close fight; O'Connell won by Split Decision.^[5]

In April 2022, Johnson took on Mexican boxer Melissa Esquivel for the IBF World Super Bantamweight title.^[8] Johnson won the fight by Split Decision, becoming the second Maori, third New Zealand female, fourth New Zealand born and seventh New Zealand citizen to win a major World boxing title.^[9]^[10] In October 2022, Johnson defended her World Title against Susie Ramadan on the Devin Haney vs. George Kambosos Jr II undercard.^[11] Johnson won the fight by Unanimous Decision, becoming the first Maori World champion boxer to successfully defend her world title.^[12] After the fight, Johnson's opponent Ramadan took to the mic and made allegation that Johnson was using performance enhancing drugs.^[13]

In November 2022, Johnson signed with major boxing promoter Lou DiBella under DiBella Entertainment.^[14] On 10 June 2023, in London, England, Johnson lost her title to Ellie Scotney by unanimous decision.^[15] Johnson became a two-time world champion when she defeated the previously unbeaten WBA female bantamweight World title holder Nina Hughes at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on 12 May 2024 by majority decision. The victory was marred by confusion when ring announcer Dan Hennessey initially declared Hughes the winner before correcting himself and announcing Johnson as the victor.^[16] ^[17]

Professional boxing record

18 fights	16 wins	2 losses
By knockout	6	0
By decision	10	2

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
18	Win	16–2	Nina Hughes	MD	10	12 May 2024	RAC Arena, Perth, Australia	Won WBA female bantamweight title
17	Loss	15–2	Ellie Scotney	UD	10	10 Jun 2023	Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom	Lost IBF female Super bantamweight title
16	Win	15–1	Susie Ramadan	UD	10	16 Oct 2022	Rod Laver Arena, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia	Defended IBF female Super bantamweight title
15	Win	14–1	Melissa Esquivel	MD	10	20 Apr 2022	Melbourne Convention Centre, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia	Won vacant IBF female Super bantamweight title
14	Loss	13–1	Shannon O'Connell	SD	10	13 Mar 2021	Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo, Australia	For vacant WBA Gold female bantamweight title
13	Win	13–0	Nurshahidah Roslie	UD	6	18 Dec 2019	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia
12	Win	12–0	Arasa Nimnoi	TKO	1 (6), 1:38	9 Aug 2019	The Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
11	Win	11–0	Kirti	UD	6	15 May 2019	The Star, Sydney, Australia
10	Win	10–0	Siriphon Chanbuala	KO	2 (6), 1:45	6 Jul 2018	The Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
9	Win	9–0	Rungnapha Kaewkrachang	TKO	4 (8), 1:56	17 Mar 2018	The Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia	Won vacant WIBA bantamweight title
8	Win	8–0	Gretel de Paz	UD	8	9 Dec 2017	Warrnambool Stadium, Warrnambool, Australia
7	Win	7–0	Febriyanti Lubis	TKO	2 (8), 0:25	21 Oct 2017	Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
6	Win	6–0	Saowaluk Nareepangsri	UD	5	24 Jun 2017	Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane, Australia
5	Win	5–0	Carol Earl	UD	6	18 Mar 2017	Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
4	Win	4–0	Ratsadaporn Khiaosopa	TKO	1 (6), 1:55	8 Oct 2016	Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
3	Win	3–0	Daorueng Pakkhetanang	UD	4	13 Aug 2016	Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
2	Win	2–0	Atitaya Saisin	UD	4	11 Jun 2016	Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo, Australia
1	Win	1–0	Napaporn Ruengsuwan	TKO	1 (4), 1:45	9 Apr 2016	Warrnambool Stadium, Warrnambool, Australia

Personal life

Johnson moved to Australia at the age of 12.^[2] She is of Maori descent of the iwi Ngāti Ranginui.^[18] She is the eldest of three, with one brother and one sister.^[2]

Media appearances

In 2022, Johnson competed on the reality competition series The Challenge: Australia.^[19]

References

^ Woods, Melissa (20 April 2022). "Aussie Cherneka Johnson wins women's boxing world title". The New Daily. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ""Sugar" Neekz Johnson Set to make her pro debut in 2016". Womens Boxing Archive Network. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b "CHERNEKA JOHNSON ON AMATEUR PEDIGREE, PROFESSIONAL TRANSITION". bendigo advertiser. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
^ Raspanti, John J. (11 October 2016). "Moloney brothers mirror each other with stoppage wins". Max Boxing. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Watt, Benjamin Thomas (4 March 2022). "Tauranga-born boxer fighting for world title". Sun Live. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
^ Cooks, Anthony (5 July 2018). ""Sugar Neekz" Johnson gunning for 10th straight win against Siriphon Chanbuala this Friday". Ring News 24. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
^ Brown, Nick (8 July 2018). "World title fight in Warrambool looms a real chance for Neekz". The Standard. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
^ McDonald, Kelvin (5 March 2022). "Ngāti Ranginui boxer Cherneka Johnson to fight for world title". Maori TV. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
^ Christ, Scott (20 April 2022). "Michael Zerafa stops Isaac Hardman in two, Cherneka Johnson wins IBF title". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
^ Watt, Benjamin Thomas (21 April 2022). "Tauranga-born Cherneka Johnson becomes second Māori to win a world boxing title". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
^ Gillen, Nancy (18 October 2022). "Cherneka Johnson left drenched in blood after brutal Susie Ramadan fight". Give Me Sport. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
^ "Cherneka Johnson: the first wahine Māori to retain a world boxing title". RNZ. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
^ "'Pretty much a set-up': Rival stays firm on wild ref claim as champ brushes off shock allegation". Fox Sports. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
^ "Tauranga Born World Champion Signs With A Major Promoter". Scoop. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
^ Taylor, Declan (10 June 2023). "Ellie Scotney Outworks Cherneka Johnson Over Ten, Captures IBF Title". BoxingScene.com.
^ "Hughes loses title after farcical scoreboard scences". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
^ "On Second Thought, Cherneka Johnson Bests Nina Hughes After All". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
^ Paranihi, Eru (11 May 2017). "Ngāti Ranginui boxer "Sugar Neekz" eyes Pacquiao undercard". Womens Boxing Archive Network. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
^ "Meet The Cast Of The Challenge Australia 2022". 10 Play. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.

External links

Boxing record for Cherneka Johnson from BoxRec (registration required)

Sporting positions
Minor World boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Tyrieshia Douglas	WIBA bantamweight champion 17 March 2018 – 2019 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Rosalinda Rodríguez
Major World boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Daniela Romina Bermúdez	IBF super-bantamweight champion 20 April 2022 – 10 June 2023	Succeeded by Ellie Scotney
Preceded by Nina Hughes	WBA bantamweight champion 12 May 2024 – present	Incumbent

[1] Woods, Melissa (20 April 2022). "Aussie Cherneka Johnson wins women's boxing world title". The New Daily. Retrieved 21 April 2022.

[WBAN-2] ""Sugar" Neekz Johnson Set to make her pro debut in 2016". Womens Boxing Archive Network. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

[AUSBoxing-3] "CHERNEKA JOHNSON ON AMATEUR PEDIGREE, PROFESSIONAL TRANSITION". bendigo advertiser. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

[4] Raspanti, John J. (11 October 2016). "Moloney brothers mirror each other with stoppage wins". Max Boxing. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

[Sunlive-5] Watt, Benjamin Thomas (4 March 2022). "Tauranga-born boxer fighting for world title". Sun Live. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

[6] Cooks, Anthony (5 July 2018). ""Sugar Neekz" Johnson gunning for 10th straight win against Siriphon Chanbuala this Friday". Ring News 24. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

[7] Brown, Nick (8 July 2018). "World title fight in Warrambool looms a real chance for Neekz". The Standard. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

[8] McDonald, Kelvin (5 March 2022). "Ngāti Ranginui boxer Cherneka Johnson to fight for world title". Maori TV. Retrieved 21 April 2022.

[9] Christ, Scott (20 April 2022). "Michael Zerafa stops Isaac Hardman in two, Cherneka Johnson wins IBF title". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 21 April 2022.

[10] Watt, Benjamin Thomas (21 April 2022). "Tauranga-born Cherneka Johnson becomes second Māori to win a world boxing title". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 April 2022.

[11] Gillen, Nancy (18 October 2022). "Cherneka Johnson left drenched in blood after brutal Susie Ramadan fight". Give Me Sport. Retrieved 5 December 2022.

[12] "Cherneka Johnson: the first wahine Māori to retain a world boxing title". RNZ. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.

[13] "'Pretty much a set-up': Rival stays firm on wild ref claim as champ brushes off shock allegation". Fox Sports. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.

[14] "Tauranga Born World Champion Signs With A Major Promoter". Scoop. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.

[15] Taylor, Declan (10 June 2023). "Ellie Scotney Outworks Cherneka Johnson Over Ten, Captures IBF Title". BoxingScene.com.

[16] "Hughes loses title after farcical scoreboard scences". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2024.

[17] "On Second Thought, Cherneka Johnson Bests Nina Hughes After All". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 12 May 2024.

[18] Paranihi, Eru (11 May 2017). "Ngāti Ranginui boxer "Sugar Neekz" eyes Pacquiao undercard". Womens Boxing Archive Network. Retrieved 5 March 2022.

[19] "Meet The Cast Of The Challenge Australia 2022". 10 Play. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.

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v t e The Challenge
Seasons	Road Rules: All Stars Real World/Road Rules Challenge Challenge 2000 Extreme Challenge Battle of the Seasons (2002) Battle of the Sexes The Gauntlet The Inferno Battle of the Sexes 2 The Inferno II The Gauntlet 2 Fresh Meat The Duel The Inferno 3 The Gauntlet III The Island The Duel II The Ruins Fresh Meat II Cutthroat Rivals Battle of the Exes Battle of the Seasons (2012) Rivals II Free Agents Battle of the Exes II Battle of the Bloodlines Rivals III Invasion of the Champions XXX: Dirty 30 Vendettas Final Reckoning War of the Worlds War of the Worlds 2 Total Madness Double Agents Spies, Lies & Allies Ride or Dies Battle for a New Champion
Spin-offs	Spring Break Challenge Champs vs. Pros Champs vs. Stars Season 1 2 All Stars Season 1 2 3 4 USA Season 1 2 Australia Argentina: El Desafío UK World Championship
Related	Cast members The Real World Road Rules Are You the One?

v t e New Zealand World Boxing Champions
List of New Zealand world boxing champions
Men Major World Champions	Bob Fitzsimmons Joseph Parker Maselino Masoe Torpedo Billy Murphy
Men Minor World Champions	Floyd Masson Jimmy Thunder Kali Meehan Soulan Pownceby Bowyn Morgan Anthony Taylor
Women Major World Champions	Lani Daniels Geovana Peres Daniella Smith Cherneka Johnson
Women Minor World Champions	Gentiane Lupi Mea Motu
New Zealand World Champion Promoters	Dean Lonergan David Higgins Duco Events
New Zealand World Champion Trainers	Monty Betham Kevin Barry Taylor Barry Isaac Peach John Conway