Cherneka Johnson cites announcer’s error for rematch

Cherneka Johnson will have a rematch with Nina Hughes for the WBA bantamweight title on Saturday in Perth, Australia. This rematch stems from an unusual incident during their first fight last May. The ring announcer, Dan Hennessey, mistakenly announced Hughes as the winner before correcting himself moments later and declaring Johnson the actual winner. The error sparked widespread controversy and caught the attention of many viewers. After the blunder went viral, Hennessey stepped down from his announcing duties just days later. Johnson believes that if Hennessey hadn't made the mistake, they might not be facing each other again. Johnson shared her feelings about the situation, saying it was frustrating but she is glad to be back in the ring. She described the emotional rollercoaster of feeling defeated then suddenly being told she won the fight. Despite the confusion, she is eager to compete again. In addition to the rematch, Johnson expressed her hopes for more fights in 2025. She wants to unify the championship belts in her division and is ready to pursue bigger opportunities while she's still at her best. Johnson also commented on the current state of women's boxing, noting that while it has seen progress, it still faces challenges. She is hopeful that more recognition and support will come for women fighters in the future.