Cherneka Johnson

Cherneka Johnson (born 3 March 1995) is a New Zealand-Australian professional boxer. Born in New Zealand, she represents Australia in international competition.[3]

Cherneka Johnson
Statistics
Nickname(s)Neekz Johnson
Sugar Neekz
Weight(s)
BornCherneka Lee Johnson
(1995-03-03) 3 March 1995
Tauranga, New Zealand[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[2]
Total fights17
Wins15
Wins by KO6
Losses2
Medal record
Women's amateur boxing
Representing  Australia
AIBA Women’s Junior World Boxing Championships Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Antalya Bantamweight

In her career, Johnson has won three major boxing titles which also include winning the WBA Oceania female bantamweight title in 2017 against Filipino boxer Gretel de Paz,[4] and the WIBA bantamweight title in 2018 against Thailand boxer Rungnapha Kaewkrachang.[5] In 2021, Johnson fought Shannon O'Connell for the WBA Gold female bantamweight title. The fight was close, however, Shannon O'Connell won the fight by split decision.[6]

Amateur career

Johnson began her boxing career in the amateur division in 2011 after she moved to Australia.[7] 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.[8]

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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] In August 2018, Johnson competed in her tenth professional boxing fight against Thailand boxer Siriphon Chanbuala.[11] Johnson won the fight by second round Knockout.[12]

Becoming World Champion 2019 - 2022

In 2019, Johnson had a very successful year by defeating boxers with great records including Kirti, Arasa Nimnoi, Nurshahidah Roslie.[10] Due to 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 a close fight, however, O'Connell won the fight by Split Decision.[10] In April 2022, Johnson took on Mexican boxer Melissa Esquivel for the IBF World Super Bantamweight title.[13] 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.[14][15] In October 2022, Johnson defended her World title against Susie Ramadan on the Devin Haney vs. George Kambosos Jr II undercard.[16] Johnson won the fight by Unanimous Decision, becoming the first Maori World champion boxer to successfully defend her world title.[17] After the fight, Johnsons opponent Ramadan took to the mic and made allegation that Johnson was using Performing enhancing drugs.[18] In November 2022, Johnson was signed with major boxing promoter Lou DiBella under DiBella Entertainment.[19]

Personal life

Johnson moved to Australia at the age of 12.[7] She is of Maori descent of the iwi Ngāti Ranginui.[20] She is the eldest of three, having one brother and one sister.[7]

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 boxing titles
  • World Boxing Association
    • Oceania Bantamweight title
  • Womens international Boxing Association
    • World Bantamweight title
  • International Boxing Federation
    • World Super Bantamweight title

Professional boxing record
17 fights 15 wins 2 losses
By knockout 6 0
By decision 9 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
17 Lose 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 Lose 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 Retained WBA Oceania female bantamweight title
Won vacant WIBA bantamweight title
8 Win 8–0 Gretel de Paz UD 8 9 Dec 2017 Warrnambool Stadium, Warrnambool, Australia Won vacant WBA Oceania female bantamweight title
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

Media appearances

In 2022, Johnson competed on the reality competition series The Challenge: Australia.[21]

References
  1. BoxRec
  2. "Boxing record for Cherneka Johnson". BoxRec.
  3. Woods, Melissa (20 April 2022). "Aussie Cherneka Johnson wins women's boxing world title". The New Daily. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. "DECEMBER 2017". Womens Boxing Archive Network. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  5. "Neekz Johnson Overpowers Rungnapha Kaewkrachang to WIBA Championship". Women of Boxing. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  6. Pinda, Anthony (14 March 2021). "Michael Zerafa sends Anthony Mundine into retirement in first-round knockout". bendigo advertiser. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  7. ""Sugar" Neekz Johnson Set to make her pro debut in 2016". Womens Boxing Archive Network. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  8. "CHERNEKA JOHNSON ON AMATEUR PEDIGREE, PROFESSIONAL TRANSITION". bendigo advertiser. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  9. Raspanti, John J. (11 October 2016). "Moloney brothers mirror each other with stoppage wins". Max Boxing. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  10. Watt, Benjamin Thomas (4 March 2022). "Tauranga-born boxer fighting for world title". Sun Live. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  11. 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.
  12. Brown, Nick (8 July 2018). "World title fight in Warrambool looms a real chance for Neekz". The Standard. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  13. McDonald, Kelvin (5 March 2022). "Ngāti Ranginui boxer Cherneka Johnson to fight for world title". Maori TV. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  14. Christ, Scott (20 April 2022). "Michael Zerafa stops Isaac Hardman in two, Cherneka Johnson wins IBF title". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  15. 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.
  16. Gillen, Nancy (18 October 2022). "Cherneka Johnson left drenched in blood after brutal Susie Ramadan fight". Give Me Sport. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  17. "Cherneka Johnson: the first wahine Māori to retain a world boxing title". RNZ. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  18. "'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.
  19. "Tauranga Born World Champion Signs With A Major Promoter". Scoop. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  20. Paranihi, Eru (11 May 2017). "Ngāti Ranginui boxer "Sugar Neekz" eyes Pacquiao undercard". Womens Boxing Archive Network. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  21. "Meet The Cast Of The Challenge Australia 2022". 10 Play. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
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