sport.wikisort.org - Athlete

Cherneka Lee Johnson (born 3 March 1995) is a professional boxer who has held the IBF female junior-featherweight title since April 2022. Born in New Zealand, she represents Australia in international competition.[3]

Cherneka Johnson
Statistics
Real name	Cherneka Lee Johnson
Nickname(s)	Neekz Johnson Sugar Neekz
Weight(s)	Super-flyweight Bantamweight Super-bantamweight
Nationality	Australian[1]
Born	Cherneka Lee Johnson (1995-03-03) 3 March 1995 (age 27) Tauranga, New Zealand[1]
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record[2]
Total fights	15
Wins	14
Wins by KO	6
Losses	1
Medal record Women's amateur boxing Representing  Australia AIBA Women’s Junior World Boxing Championships Games 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 - Present

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]

Personal life

Johnson moved to Australia at the age of 12.[7] She is of Maori descent of the iwi Ngāti Ranginui.[16] 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

15 fights	14 wins	1 loss
By knockout	6	0
By decision	8	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
15	Win	14–1	Melissa Esquivel	SD	10	20 Apr 2022	Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia	Won vacant IBF female junior-featherweight 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.[17]

References

External links

• Boxing record for Cherneka Johnson from BoxRec (registration required)

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