Cherneka Lee Johnson (born 3 March 1995) is a New Zealand-Australian

professional boxer Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory autho ...

. Born in New Zealand, she represents Australia in international competition. 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, and the WIBA bantamweight title in 2018 against Thailand boxer Rungnapha Kaewkrachang. 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.

Amateur career

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

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. 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. 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. In August 2018, Johnson competed in her tenth professional boxing fight against Thailand boxer Siriphon Chanbuala. Johnson won the fight by second round Knockout.

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. 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. In April 2022, Johnson took on Mexican boxer Melissa Esquivel for the IBF World Super Bantamweight title. 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. In October 2022, Johnson defended her World title against

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on the Devin Haney vs. George Kambosos Jr II undercard. Johnson won the fight by Unanimous Decision, becoming the first Maori World champion boxer to successfully defend her world title. After the fight, Johnsons opponent Ramadan took to the mic and made allegation that Johnson was using Performing enhancing drugs. In November 2022, Johnson was signed with major boxing promoter

Lou DiBella Louis John DiBella Jr. (born May 17, 1960) is an American boxing promoter and television/film producer. Education DiBella is a graduate of Regis High School (New York City). He then continued his education at Tufts University before pursuing ...

under DiBella Entertainment.

Personal life

Johnson moved to Australia at the age of 12. She is of Maori descent of the

iwi Iwi () are the largest social units in New Zealand Māori society. In Māori roughly means "people" or "nation", and is often translated as "tribe", or "a confederation of tribes". The word is both singular and plural in the Māori language, an ...

Ngāti Ranginui. She is the eldest of three, having one brother and one sister.

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

Media appearances

In 2022, Johnson competed on the reality competition series '' The Challenge: Australia''.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Cherneka 1995 births Māori world boxing champions Living people Sportspeople from Melbourne Sportspeople from Tauranga Australian women boxers New Zealand women boxers Featherweight boxers Boxers from Melbourne New Zealand world boxing champions The Challenge (TV series) contestants