Cherneka Johnson
Cherneka Lee Johnson (born 3 March 1995) is a New Zealand-Australian professional boxer who has held the IBF female junior-featherweight title since April 2022. 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 multipling 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 Batanmweight title. Johnson won the fight by Unanimous Decision. A few months later , Johnson fought for the WIBA World Banatamweight 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 - Present. 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 Batamweight 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 won a major World boxing title. Personal life. Johnson moved to Australia at the age of 12. She is of Maori descent of the iwi Ngāti Ranginui. She is the eldest  of three, having one brother and one sister.