Cherneka Johnson isn’t holding back ahead of her title defence this weekend, warning her rival that if things go according to plan, the fight will be over long before the final bell.
Australia’s first undisputed world champion of the four-belt era, Johnson will face Canada’s unbeaten Amanda Galle this weekend in Miami, Florida.
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The duo feature on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, with millions expected to tune in ahead of the blockbuster main event.
Despite a tense faceoff earlier this week, Johnson insists the matchup is strictly business.
“There’s no animosity towards Amanda,” she told Fox Sports Australia during fight week.
“She’s just chasing the belts and I’m the person with all the belts. It’s business, though. I’m not here to play games. She’s trying to take what’s mine, and I’m not going to let her do that.”
Nicknamed “Sugar Neekz”, the 30-year-old Gold Coast star believes her power and experience will make it a short night for her rival.
“I see myself as being the bigger opponent on the night and a lot stronger,” Johnson explained.
“She knows she’s never fought anyone like me before. If I execute the game plan that we have been working on and bring the best version of me to fight night it won’t be going the distance.”
Johnson signed with Jake Paul’s promotional team earlier this year, joining the growing roster of fighters under the social media star’s banner.
Paul is set to step into the ring this weekend against former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, so understandably, he has a lot on his plate right now.
“I haven’t seen Jake around much this time; he’s obviously in camp himself and focused,” Johnson explained.
“But he’s doing great things for women’s boxing and the sport in general, bringing a lot more eyes to it and creating plenty of noise. That’s exactly what we want.”
When asked what “The Problem Child” is like off-camera, Johnson was candid.
“Personally, Jake is a great guy,” she said.
“I think everyone has their own opinions, and a lot of people judge what they see on social media, but he’s genuinely doing great things for the sport.”
Another Aussie star signed to Paul’s promotion is former world champion Ebanie Bridges – who recently announced her comeback to the sport after having a baby.
Johnson says a future all-Aussie fight against the Blonde Bomber is certainly not out of the question.
“You know, I think that’s a fight that could make a lot of sense down the track, especially if it was to happen in Australia,” she said.
“That could be a potential fight down the track, but right now, I’m just focused on keeping my belts and defending them against Amanda.”
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Another Aussie fan favourite making a lot of noise is Skye Nicolson, who recently claimed an interim world title.
Nicolson and Johnson have a friendship that goes back many years, but Sugar Neekz says they could also throw down.
“Skye and I have actually traveled the world together in the amateurs,” she said.
“We trained at the same gym, and we actually fought a few times in the amateurs. You know, she’s got a great platform with Matchroom, where she’s doing great things, and she’s chasing belts, and she’s going through the divisions as well.
“She might decide to come down to bantamweight, [and] obviously, I have all the belts down there.
“If she decides to come down there and a fight is put to the table, you know, if it makes sense for my team and the promoters want to put it on, then, you know, we put it on.”
For Johnson, being undisputed champ doesn’t just come with bragging rights – it comes with serious baggage. Literally.
She says carrying all four of her world title belts around during fight week is no easy task.
“It actually is hard work carrying all these belts around,” she admitted.
“I’m very fortunate. My team help me carry them everywhere. But, yeah, I need extra luggage wherever I go on a flight to take them with me.”
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Despite the inconvenience, Johnson says the weight of the belts is a reminder of what she’s achieved – and what she’s determined to protect this weekend.
“I keep all the belts right next to my bed,” she says.
“I wake up to them every morning, and I remember how hard I work to get these and how much harder I’m going to have to work to keep them.”