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 IBF female super-bantamweight World champion.
Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson was born on March 3, 1995, in Tauranga, New Zealand, but represents Australia in international competition. She started in boxing in the amateur division in 2011 after she moved to Australia. In the four AIBA World Boxing Amateur Championships, she won the 2011 Junior World Championships, came 5th in the 2013 Youth World Championships, and reached the top 16 in the Elite World Championships in 2012 and 2014. Cherneka Johnson has won multiple National titles including three Australian national championships and three Golden Gloves championships. She ended her amateur boxing career, competing in over 60 amateur boxing fights.
Cherneka Johnson started her professional boxing career in 2016. She fought against Napaporn Ruengsuwan, winning the fight by second-round stoppage. During the year, she achieved two more wins, defeating Atitaya Saisin and Daorueng Pakkhetanang, both via unanimous decision, before knocking down Ratsadaporn Khiaosopa in the first round.
In 2017, Cherneka Johnson continued with her successful performance, winning the fights versus Carol Earl and Saowaluk Nareepangsri via unanimous decision and versus Febriyanti Lubis via TKO. At the end of the year, she fought versus Gretel de Paz for the WBA Oceania Bantamweight title, winning the match via unanimous decision and thus triumphing with her first professional title.
On March 17, 2018, Cherneka Johnson faced Rungnapha Kaewkrachang for the WIBA World Bantamweight title at The Melbourne Pavilion, Flemington. She won the match via TKO in the second round. In August 2018, she competed in her tenth professional boxing fight against Thailand boxer Siriphon Chanbuala and won by second-round Knockout.
In 2019, Cherneka Johnson achieved three move victories, defeating Kirti, Arasa Nimnoi, and Nurshahidah Roslie. Thus, she kept her unbeaten record.
Cherneka Johnson missed from the professional boxing for two years, before returning in 2021 in a match versus Shannon O’Connell for the vacant WBA Gold World Bantamweight title. However, this time, the Australian boxer lost the fight via split decision.
In April 2022, Cherneka Johnson fought versus Melissa Esquivel for another vacant title – IBF World Super Bantamweight. She won the fight via majority decision. A few months later, she defended the title versus Susie Ramadan at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, winning the fight via unanimous decision.
In June 2023, Cherneka Johnson fought versus Ellie Scotney for her second defense of the IBF World Super Bantamweight title at the Wembley Arena in the UK. She lost the fight via unanimous decision after the Australian boxer cut over the right eye in the 6th round by a head clash.
In May 2024, Cherneka Johnson won the WBA World Bantamweight title after defeating Nina Hughes via majority decision at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Cherneka Johnson photos
