Latest news with #ChernekaJohnson
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Epic Taylor-Serrano trilogy ends in controversy with split decision
Katie Taylor was too good for Amanda Serrano yet again as their epic trilogy bout came to an end with a controversial split decision in New York. In an extremely tight contest, with both women leaving it all on the canvas, the Irishwoman claimed a majority decision 95-95, 97-93, 97-93, as The Sun reports. UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 | SUN 20 JULY 12PM AEST | One of the most iconic careers in MMA history will come to a close, as UFC veteran Dustin Poirier makes his final walk to the Octagon for a trilogy with current BMF Champion Max Holloway. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. In front of a packed and raucous Madison Square Garden, and with an estimated 20 million people watching on Netflix, Taylor made it 3-0 in their rivalry with a split decision which saw one judge score it a draw. The two stars earned an incredible $13.5 million each for headlining an all-women's card that saw a world record 17 championship titles up for grabs. Australian-based Cherneka 'Sugar Neekz' Johnson was part of the undercard, emerging as the new undisputed bantamweight world champion after defeating Shurretta Metcalf by TKO to claim the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO bantamweight belts. The third Taylor-Serrano fight did not live up to the hype or action of the first two fights, but it was a more polished bout between the two superstars Taylor, 39, admitted she was 'a bit concerned' before the decision was announced, but felt she had done enough to win a third fight against the Puerto Rican. 'Yeah, I mean I don't think anybody could deny that I won tonight so it was very, very satisfying,' she said. 'The other previous fights some people had her winning, some people had me winning, so there was always that debate and that's why there was a trilogy at the end of the day. 'I was coming into this trilogy 2-0 against her but there was controversy in those decisions so I feel very satisfied that it was lights out and I feel like it was a very, very dominant performance.' Taylor also said she adopted different tactics this time around. 'I thought I showed a very smart performance, a very cleaver performance. I knew I was capable of it against Amanda,' the now 25-1 fighter said. 'The two fights previous were complete wars and I came out of it battered and bruised and I'm thinking, why am I sitting there and fighting when I knew I was capable of moving my legs and outboxing her. 'I was just happy I was able to produce that tonight and execute the game plan.' Taylor wasn't sure if this was her left performance in the ring. 'I wouldn't say I have anything left to prove,' she said. 'But I'm going to sit back and relax and like I say I will make a decision on whether I will fight again.' Some of those watching on lamented the lack of scoring punches from the two fighters and that was reflected in the stats. Serrano threw a huge volume of jabs in the contest, but they were very inaccurate. The losing fighter landed just 9.67 per cent of her 217 jabs thrown and 18.32 per cent overall. Taylor, meanwhile, landed the same number of total punches as Serrano – 70 – but threw 151 fewer punches. Her accuracy was a much more respectable 30.3 per cent. The two boxers showed great respect for each other after another bruising contest, with Serrano believing she had won the fight. 'We tried something different, it was all about working smarter, not harder,' Serrano said in the ring after the fight. 'I tried to keep my distance because apparently it didn't worth the first two fights. So we tried to stick with the long punches and it just wasn't enough. 'I don't know, I have to go back and watch it. My team told me they think I won, I'm going to believe what they tell me. 'I was really trying to apply what they were telling me.' Full list of results: Katie Taylor beat Amanda Serrano by majority decision – IBF, WBC, WBO super-lightweight titles Alycia Baumgardner beat Jennifer Miranda by unanimous decision – IBF, WBC, WBO super-featherweight titles Shadasia Green beat Savannah Marshall by split decision – IBF, WBO super-middleweight titles Ellie Scotney beat Yamileth Mercardo by unanimous decision – IBF, WBC, WBO super-bantamweight titles Cherneka Johnson beat Shurretta Metcalf by ninth-round TKO – IBF, WBC, WBO bantamweight titles Chantelle Cameron beat Jessica Camara by unanimous decision
NZ Herald
12-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Tauranga-born Cherneka Johnson becomes first Māori to be crowned undisputed boxing world champion
Tauranga-born professional boxer Cherneka Johnson has made history at New York's Madison Square Garden, becoming the first Māori to be crowned an undisputed boxing world champion. In what has been described as a 'total beatdown', Johnson beat American Shurretta Metcalf by way of TKO between the eighth and ninth rounds
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Aussie Cherneka Johnson becomes undisputed boxing world champion
Australian based Cherneka 'Sugar Neekz' Johnson is the new undisputed bantamweight world champion after producing a stellar performance on the women's boxing showcase in New York on Saturday (AEST). Fighting on the undercard of the trilogy fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in Madison Square Garden, Johnson put on a clinic in her fight against American Shurretta Metcalf, securing a stoppage win late in the bout. Johnson dominated the fight and connected with a flurry of punches on Metcalf in the fourth round, causing her opponent to stumble and fall backwards to the canvas — which was ruled a knockdown. A clip of that moment shared by Netflix said: 'Cherneka Johnson BULLYING Shurretta Metcalf.' Johnson was well up on the scorecards when the referee said he wasn't satisfied with how Metcalf was reacting to the punches, waving off the fight before the ninth round could begin. Watch highlights from Cherneka Johnson's win in the video above The Aussie raised her arms in celebration and she held the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO bantamweight belts in the ring in front of YouTube Jake Paul, who is a major backer of female fight cards. Johnson said: 'I've envisioned this moment so I already feel like I've been her before. 'This is my moment and I get to share it with my team. To be on this amazing card representing women's boxing, to showcase women in boxing, I'm so thankful and grateful.' Main Event's Ben Damon posted on X: 'Superstar performance from New Zealand-born, Australian-based Cherneka Johnson who is now the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world.' Johnson now has a record of 18-2 (8KOs). The 30-year-old had previously held the IBF super bantamweight title before losing to Brit Ellie Scotney in 2023. Scotney defeated Yamileth Mercardo on Saturday to retain her undisputed super bantamweight titles. It is a big week for Australian boxing, with Tim Tszyu taking on Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas on July 20 as he seeks revenge for his loss in March last year than turned into a bloody war. Manny Pacquiao is also fighting on that card against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cherneka Johnson dominates at MSG to become new undisputed bantamweight champion
Cherneka Johnson (18-2) is the new undisputed bantamweight champion of the world. The Australian boxer dominated Shurretta Metcalf (14-5-1) at Madison Square Garden on Friday night (local time) to bring all four major titles together. Advertisement Johnson (18-2) secured a TKO victory two seconds into the ninth round. It was a one-sided fight until that point, with referee Charlie Fitch calling time despite Metcalf being keen to continue. More to come.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shakur Stevenson, Craig Jones, and Cherneka Johnson all in studio The Ariel Helwani Show
Shakur Stevenson, Craig Jones, and Cherneka Johnson all in studio | The Ariel Helwani Show | July 8, 2025 Ariel Helwani and the Boys In The Back go live for Tuesday's edition of The Ariel Helwani Show. Catch the full rundown for Tuesday's show below: 1 p.m. ET: Ariel and the gang kick off the show. 1:15 p.m. ET: Jiu-jitsu extraordinaire Craig Jones joins us in-studio. Advertisement 2:15 p.m. ET: Cherneka Johnson takes over the studio to preview Friday's unified bantamweight bout against Shurretta Metcalf. 3 p.m. ET: Shakur Stevenson finishes up the in-studio triple-header ahead of Saturday's showdown against Edgar Berlanga.
