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Johnson busted open
Champion Cherneka Johnson has been busted open in the second round of her world title defence against Susie Ramadan here in Melbourne. Plenty of claret running down her face and the doctor stops proceedings to take a look at the severity of the cut. Johnson is given the all clear and the crowd loves it.
A massive 24 hours in Australian boxing
While George Kambosos is looking to reclaim his lightweight titles in Melbourne today, there was another Australian star on show in Brisbane last night.
Liam Paro floored Brock Jarvis – who was previously undefeated – inside the first round to move closer to a super lightweight world title shot after shining in Matchroom’s first show on Australian soil.
“He’s ready to fight for the world championship,” promoter Eddie Hearn declared. “Josh Taylor will fight Jack Catterall, and it looks like he (Paro) should be mandatory for the winner. If they want to vacate, it’s Liam Paro against Teofimo Lopez and I’ll do everything I can to bring that to Australia.”
Johnson and Ramadan set for world title fight
It’s showtime on the main card here in Melbourne. Cherneka Johnson defends her IBF super bantamweight world title against former champion – and former sparring partner – Susie Ramadan.
Johnson, known by many as “Sugar Neekz”, won the title earlier this year and has just one loss to her name. Ramadan is set for her third fight in almost four years, but she has vowed to claim a world title in Melbourne for the third time.
Johnson has “Big Levi” on the back of her ringwalk attire in a nod to her late brother.
Cherneka Johnson takes on Susie Ramadan.Credit:Getty
‘He wanted to be here’: Johnson dedicates title fight to murdered brother
Cherneka Johnson starts fighting back tears at the mention of her late brother. As if anyone needed proof, it quickly becomes clear this world champion’s toughest fight came outside the ring.
Johnson will dedicate her IBF super bantamweight title defence to her late 23-year-old brother Levi, who was fatally stabbed outside a Brisbane gym last month.
The 27-year-old could have walked away from her title defence against Australian veteran Susie Ramadan and nobody could have questioned it. But she is here, ready to defend her crown.
“I always knew this is what my brother would have wanted. He wanted to be here on Sunday for this fight. This would have been the first fight he would have been able to come to, so this one is a dedication to him.”
The fighters are making the walk to the ring.
What’s in store on the main card
The names of Kambosos and Haney are the ones on the posters and in the headlines, but there is another world title on the line here today.
Melbourne’s Cherneka Johnson (14-1) will defend her IBF super bantamweight championship against fellow Australian and former world champion Susie Ramadan (29-3).
The Moloney twins – who boast identical 24-2 records – will both feature on the card. Andrew Moloney faces Norbelto Jimenez (31-9-6) for the WBO international super flyweight crown as he marches towards another world title, while Jason Moloney will take on Nawaphon Kaikanha (56-1-1) in his chase for a second shot at the bantamweight crown.
The scene was set at a fiery weigh-in
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Fight day has arrived
Repeat or revenge? That’s the question everyone is asking.
Caden Helmers checking in from Rod Laver Arena ahead of today’s rematch between Devin “The Dream” Haney and George “Ferocious” Kambosos for the undisputed lightweight championship.
Haney was so convincing in their first fight four months ago that most see today’s result as a fait accompli, but Kambosos has vowed to deliver with a new game plan. Follow along for all the latest in Melbourne today as the eyes of the boxing world descend on the Victorian capital.
Devin Haney and George Kambosos came face to face one final time before their fight.Credit:Getty
