At just 12 years old, Cherneka Johnson laced up her first pair of boxing gloves at a PCYC in the Gold Coast, not realising it would propel her to stardom, including a significant friendship with Jake Paul and the potential for major earnings. This Kiwi-born fighter, now an Australian citizen, rose to prominence after becoming the undisputed bantamweight world champion last month by defeating Shurretta Metcalf during Netflix’s groundbreaking all-female boxing event, which featured renowned fighters Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
At 30 years old, Johnson made history as the first Australian to hold all four major boxing titles—IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA—an achievement unmatched since Kostya Tszyu held just three titles over two decades ago. Despite her sudden rise to fame, Johnson maintains her humility. In a recent interview, she noted the increase in her social media following and the influx of messages she receives now as the undisputed champion. She credits her support team for helping her navigate this newfound attention.
Johnson’s career took a significant turn after she signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in June. While Paul remains a polarising figure in boxing, his promotion has been pivotal in spotlighting women’s boxing and enabling fighters like Johnson to earn significant purses. Although her earnings from the bout with Metcalf remain undisclosed, Johnson expressed that the amount was beyond her expectations.
With a strong ambition to fight more frequently—aiming for three bouts a year—Johnson believes this will improve her financial situation, as she previously faced challenges only fighting once annually. Alongside boxing, Johnson runs a successful OnlyFans account and boasts a substantial Instagram following, mirroring other athletes who use platforms to supplement their income.
Reflecting on her relationship with Paul, Johnson had positive remarks, highlighting his genuine support for improving women’s boxing and noting the clear communication from MVP regarding future projects. Being part of the all-women card on Netflix has already opened doors, demonstrating potential in furthering female representation in the sport.
Embracing her playful persona, Johnson has drawn attention with daring promotional tactics, such as showing up to weigh-ins adorned only in body paint. She considers this a clever marketing strategy that garners more eyes on the sport and her career.
Now back on the Gold Coast, Johnson savours her title as the undisputed champion. She anticipates returning to the ring in late October or early November but is yet to disclose details about her potential opponent.