Cherneka Johnson taps into warrior spirit as the fights keep increasing in magnitude
Cherneka Johnson says it’s a switch that transforms her, a psychological trigger that takes her to the place that has her reigning as women’s boxing’s undisputed bantamweight champion.
“I do a fair amount of work trying to change my mindset quickly – like a switch, that we’re ready to fight now,” Johnson said.
“That’s why I’ve got the nickname ‘Sweet Savage,’ because it’s hard work for me to come to the mentality that, ‘I want to hurt you. I’m going to beat the shit out of you.’ So I do a lot of work getting into that. I come from a long line of warriors and I’ve got that deep down [in me], so I dig for that and I find that, and I bring it out for fight night.”
Australia’s Johnson, 31, has called upon that warrior spirit to compile a 19-2 record with eight knockouts, riding that success to Saturday night’s Most Valuable Promotions’ main event on ESPN versus Denmark’s unbeaten Dina Thorslund, 24-0 (9 KOs), at Caribe Royale Resort Hotel in Orlando, Florida.
“I know that she’s going to bring out the best in me. I know she’s going to bring her best, having a shot at all of the belts,” Johnson told Boxing Scene Thursday. “So I’m expecting the best version of Dina Thorslund, and she can expect the best version of me. Great quality fighters, great matchup. But one thing I know for sure is that I’m going to be victorious.”
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions has spent the past couple years retaining most of women’s boxing’s most prominent champions and contenders, including Amanda Serrano, Mikaela Mayer, Skye Nicolson and undisputed junior-featherweight champion Ellie Scotney.
As the talent was being assembled, Johnson said her first thought was, “‘Please, pick me,’ and I tried to find my way in to get an opportunity, like I was missing out. And then the stars aligned, and Jake and Nakisa have done awesome things for women’s boxing.
“I feel like I’m part of a collective among all the women that MVP has [signed]. We are all giving it a push, and there’s a part of it that feels real special – my first main event on ESPN. I’m just thankful for the opportunities MVP is providing. The opportunities and platforms they’re bringing to women fighters… they’re doing the most for women’s boxing.”
Johnson’s rise dates to when her father, Kelly, brought her to a YMCA for boxing training for fitness purposes only to align her with South Africa’s Philip Holiday, the former IBF lightweight champion who successfully defended his belt six times against the likes of Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech and famed trainer Joel Diaz before losing the belt in 1997 to Hall of Famer Shane Mosley.
“I grew up as a tomboy and was always a little rough with the boys, and Holiday said, ‘Oh, you’ve got a little bit of natural talent,’” Johnson said. “It kicked off from there.
“It was just the feeling that each time I went to the gym, I loved it and hated it. I loved my coach encouraging, but at the same time the mental challenge of not always liking how I was doing … It was the learning of it, the traveling. I still love the sport.”
Johnson won the IBF 118lbs belt in 2022.
“I always knew I worked hard. I was committed. I made loads of sacrifices to be where I am today. I went all in, wholeheartedly 100 percent, even as people around me were saying, ‘Oh, boxing ain’t going to pay the bills,’ and ‘How are you going to do that? You should get a proper job,’” she said.
“I’d always find another job to work with my training schedule. I just went, ‘Nope, I’m going all in on boxing,’ and I stayed true to the core. I was doing whatever I could to make it work. And I believe I’ve done that.”
When Scotney was gifted a car by Paul for becoming the youngest Brit to become 122lbs undisputed champion, Johnson replied to the fighter-promoter, “Where’s mine?”
Johnson successfully negotiated a new Harley Davidson from MVP, and she’ll take possession after this bout.
“I asked for the bike because I feel like I’ll have more fun,” Johnson said. “It’s quite peaceful, to be honest.”
She declined to reveal how fast she’s ever accelerated a motorcycle.
“I’m not silly crazy. I love the idea of going fast, and sometimes I think of what it’d be like to go pedal to the metal and see how fast this thing goes, but I’ve still got a good career ahead of me, and I’m not willing to risk that right now,” Johnson said.
Defeating Thorslund on the prominent stage should lead Johnson to greater events, either another undisputed defense or a move toward another division belt.
“There’s plenty of opportunities out there for me. I won’t be short of options. Everyone wants what I have …
create more of a legacy with big-money fights,” she said.
Taking to the grandest ring yet thrills Johnson.
“There’s a certain [feeling] that you’re like a role model and you want to showcase to the world what female fighters are capable of, in terms of their fighting and bringing a whole package to fight night and fight week,” Johnson said.
“It’s a stage you want to keep improving. There’s always room for growth, in your personal life and in the ring. And I believe I’m doing that right now.”
