Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson has been one of the most powerful skills, consequences, and determination in the sport of boxing. Now fighting for Australia-born in New Zealand-Johnson has gained quite a solid reputation as one of the best women fighters in the world. She has had an illustrious professional career with many title wins and numerous media representations, all while proudly representing her heritage-being Maori.
Early Days and Boxing Career
Cherneka Johnson was born in Tauranga, New Zealand, with her iwi being Ngāti Ranginui. She migrated to Australia when she was 12 years old and picked up boxing relatively quickly after that. The love for keeping fit and competing in various sports transferred well into very early success as an amateur.
Jolton’s amateur career prepared her for her eventual professional quest. She gained enough experience to enter into the pros in 2016, making a stunning TKO debut. The early career saw her become some sort of solid reputation in Australia, building up her wins with unanimous decisions and knockouts alike. She won the WIBA bantamweight title already in 2018 and was on her way for global success.
Breakthrough in Professional Boxing
For one of the biggest moments within the career of Cherneka Johnson, April 2022 brought an aggregation of a world IBF super bantamweight title. She fought in a ferocious bout against Melissa Esquivel, fighting a majority decision inJohnson’s favor as she became only the second Māorii woman to win a world championship in boxing. This was big, not only for her career but also for New Zealand’s representation on the international stage within this sport.
However, it has not all been smooth-sailing to the top for Cherneka. In June 2023, she went in, very strongly, against British boxer Ellie Scotney. Even though she put up a very good fight and showed much resilience, Johnson finally lost her IBF super bantamweight title to Scotney by a unanimous decision.
The fight was very competitive, as Johnson applied toughness, even up to the time when she sustained a deep cut over her right eye during the bout. Though she did not defend her belt, this fight sealed her status among world-class athletes.
New Titles and Comeback
In 2024, TJ Cherneka Johnson made a strong return to capture the WBA bantamweight title with a closely contested fight against Nina Hughes. She obtained her second-division world championship, an uncommon achievement in professional boxing. Having awaited a fine display of skill and fitness, Johnson bossed the fight with some clinical jabs and hooks that visibly told on Hughes throughout the bout. Adding to her world title haul, this victory once again cemented her as one of the clear forces in female boxing.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Cherneka Johnson’s style of fight displays her aggression, good footwork, and strong punching. She can easily switch from offense to defense, making her an adaptable fighter who faces different opponents in the ring. That is what makes her so different for any fighter: taking hits and still moving.
Besides her physical abilities, one of the major aspects that has much contributed to her success is mental toughness. She has proven resilience in terms of springing back from shocks, such as the loss to Ellie Scotney. This blend of resilience and technical ability makes her an all-rounder capable of fighting at the top.
Media Appearances and Personal Life
Her personality and her success have made her become one of the favorite personalities, not only in the boxing circle but also in media. Johnson also was featured in the reality TV series in 2022 The Challenge: Australia, wherein the competitive nature is shown outside the boxing ring.
Outside the ring
Johnson remains proud of her Maori heritage. She often performs a Haka in the ring walk, a traditional Maori dance that shows strength, union, and devotion. Future Prospects Cherneka Johnson’s career is anything but over. Off the back of her recent WBA title win in 2024, further commitments will most certainly be made in the defense of her new title and maybe in creating more opportunities in other weight divisions. Resilience, dedication, and enhancement bury her as a fighter to reckon with for the next years to come. Further, Johnson has made it known that she’d like to use her platform to inspire younger generations, especially from indigenous communities, to pursue their dreams in whatever it is that they choose-be it sports or another avenue. Among the few women to hold titles in multiple divisions, she continues to set the bar high and a new ceiling of what’s possible in women’s boxing.
Conclusion
The commitment, resilience over hardship, and most importantly, a bond to cultural heritage have been the drive in the world of boxing for Cherneka Johnson. From an amateur beginning in New Zealand to her two world champion reigns, she always asserted her strength in the ring. With the recent win as a two-division world champion, the future is bright for Johnson, and fans worldwide await her next move in what can be identified as an orthodox career.
READ MORE: Nelly Korda: Dominating Women’s Golf in 2024
