Cherneka Johnson Proves She is the Champion

By David A. Avila

Moving forward behind a ramrod jab, Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson forced Nina Hughes’s team to throw in the title and abandon hopes to win back the WBA bantamweight title on Saturday in Australia.

It was not even close.

Johnson (17-2, 7 Kos) was eager to prove against England’s Hughes (6-2, 2 Kos) in front of several thousand fans in Sydney, Australia that she indeed deserved the world title that had ended in controversy last year.

No mistakes were made in their second clash.

The New Zealander opened up the first round with a stiff left jab that snapped back Hughes head and body. And Johnson immediately whipped into attack mode knowing exactly what to expect from the British fighter.

Hughes was quickly forced to hold on for dear life.

Every round was the same with Johnson attacking in whirlwind fashion and Hughes grabbing an arm to stall the attacks. Every round was the same.

Hughes never could find her footing.

The fourth round was especially telling as Johnson unleashed a savage attack with left hooks and powerful rights that seemed to sap the energy from the legs of Hughes.

After repeated warnings for holding by referee Rafael Ramos, a point was finally deducted for the infraction in the fifth round. Even Hughes corner warned their charge to refrain from holding.

It was all Hughes could do to stop the powerful punches from her opponent.

The powerful looking Johnson looked unbeatable and showed off new offensive abilities that allowed her to find openings in Hughes defense. And the punches kept coming in rapid fashion.

In the seventh round Johnson went back to work on full attack and Hughes was forced to hold again. During a clinch Hughes corner tossed in the white towel at 46 seconds of the round.

Johnson retains the WBA bantamweight title and thus proved she deserved the win in their first encounter too that took place back in May 2024 in Perth.

This was “Sugar Neekz” best performance yet.