Cherneka Johnson, IBF Champion, Inks Promotional Pact With Lou DiBella

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Press Release

DiBella Entertainment has signed IBF super bantamweight world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson to an exclusive promotional agreement.

Johnson (15-1, 6 KOs), of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, seized the IBF women’s world super bantamweight title by defeating Melissa Esquivel on April 20, in her hometown at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Born in Tauranga, New Zealand, Johnson is the second Maori ever to win a world boxing title.

“Cherneka Johnson has the whole package: looks, talent, and charisma,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “You can’t tell by looking at her that she’s a blood-and-guts warrior; you can tell by watching her last fight, in which she successfully defended her IBF world title over 10 bloody rounds, despite being cut to the bone. Sugar Neekz makes great fights and can be a major boxing star.”

In her last fight, Johnson made the first defense of her IBF belt against former world champion Susie Ramadan on the undercard of the Devin Haney-George Kambosos Jr. rematch, on October 16, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. A clash of heads in the second round left a huge gash above Johnson’s left eye, which bled profusely throughout the remainder of the bout. In a dramatic and bloody affair, Johnson went on to win a unanimous decision victory.

Johnson previously captured the WBA Oceania bantamweight title in December 2017 and made one defense of that belt. Her only loss came to Shannon O’Connell via close, split decision last year, challenging for the WBA Gold bantamweight title. As an amateur, Johnson was a five-time Queensland State champion, three-time Australian National champion and three-time Golden Gloves champion. Outside of boxing, Johnson will soon appear in the popular Aussie reality television series, The Challenge.

“I’m excited to sign with Hall-of-Fame promoter Lou DiBella and DiBella Entertainment,” said Johnson. “I want to continue to fight around the globe and build my brand within the boxing world. I am determined to defend my IBF world title and my goal is to unify the belts at super bantamweight. I know that, with DiBella Entertainment, these opportunities will come my way and I promise to make the most of them.”

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Cherneka Johnson re-signs with promoter DiBella Entertainment

WBA women’s bantamweight champion Cherneka Johnson has re-signed a multi-fight promotional deal with DiBella Entertainment, extending the deal that the fighter and promoter first made in November of 2022.

Johnson, 17-2 (7 KOs), is just two weeks removed from her first title defense, a seventh-round stoppage of Nina Hughes, whom she had previously defeated by majority decision to win the title in her home country of Australia.

Previously, the 30-year-old Johnson had held the IBF junior featherweight title, winning it in 2022 and losing it by decision to Ellie Scotney in June 2023 in a fight marked by a nasty gash Johnson suffered above her left eye.

"I am very happy to secure a convincing win to retain my title," said Johnson in a press release. "Along with my team, I look forward to being a part of the biggest fights available, whether in Australia or the USA."

Promoter Lou DiBella, who was among the first American promoters to give a consistent platform to women’s boxing, called Johnson “one of the emerging faces of women’s boxing.”

“There are few champions in boxing who continue to improve their craft and build their star power simultaneously," said DiBella.

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Press Release

Two-division champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson (17-2, 7 KOs) has signed a new multi-fight promotional agreement with DiBella Entertainment, extending the partnership. The signing comes on the heels of Johnson’s knockout victory in a rematch against Nina Hughes on March 22nd in Sydney, in her first defense of her WBA bantamweight championship. The 30 year-old Melbourne-based fighter, originally from Tauranga, New Zealand, has become a rising force in women’s boxing. A decorated amateur, Johnson represented Australia in international competition, capturing three National titles, three Golden Gloves championships, and international gold before turning professional.

As a pro, Johnson climbed the ranks the hard way, capturing her first world title in April 2022, when she defeated Melissa Esquivel for the IBF super bantamweight championship. Although she lost the belt in a brutal, closely-contested war against Ellie Scotney, Johnson bounced back by moving down in weight and conquering a second division, defeating Nina Hughes in May 2024.

Now, with DiBella Entertainment continuing to guide her career, Johnson is poised to cement her legacy as one of the best and brightest stars in the sport. "I am very happy to secure a convincing win to retain my title," said Johnson. "Along with my team, I look forward to being a part of the biggest fights available, whether in Australia or the USA."

"There are few champions in boxing who continue to improve their craft and build their star power simultaneously," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "Cherneka Johnson is one of the emerging faces of women’s boxing worldwide and DiBella Entertainment is proud to continue to serve as her promoter."

With the ink now dry on her multi-fight deal, Johnson’s focus shifts to her next challenge—taking on the biggest fights available and becoming the undisputed women’s bantamweight champion.