IBF female junior-featherweight title holder Cherneka Johnson’s brother Levi was fatally slain outside a Brisbane gym in September.
Johnson tries to hold back her tears when her late brother’s name is brought up. She is currently fighting the toughest battle outside of the ring.
The 27-year-old admitted at the pre-fight press conference on Friday that she had used tunnel vision to focus solely on this bout and that she had a difficult week with her family.
In April, she fought against a Mexican boxer Melissa Esquivel in the IBF World Super Bantamweight championship. She became the second Maori to win a significant World boxing title after winning the contest by Split Decision.
Quick Facts About Cherneka Johnson
| Full Name | Cherneka Lee Johnson |
| Nick Name | Neekz Johnson, Sugar Neekz |
| Age | 27 years old |
| Birth Date | 3 March 1995 |
| Place Of Birth | Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Brother | Levi Johnson |
What Happened To Cherneka Johnson Brother Levi?
Boxer Cherneka Johnson’s brother Levi was eradicated last month. He was brutally stabbed multiple times outside a gym in Brisbane.
As per the Syndey Morning Herald report, Levi was attacked by four men after his automobile was allegedly cut off in the driveway of a Mansfield gym. Unfortunately, he passed on the spot.
According to Queensland Police Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham, it was unquestionably fierce, it happened very quickly, and they were genuinely committed to doing their investigation.
7News reported two men involved have already been charged with the slaying. However, Police believed Thomas Myler, 35, and Kyle Martin, 24, were also connected with the incident and appealed for assistance to find them.
Queensland Police responded to reports around 5:30 pm after they obtained information from the general public.
They went to Wellington Point’s Skinner Avenue before POLAIR followed a car from the address to a spot in Chandler.
Two men were said to have buried several firearms before returning the car to the Wellington Point location.
Thomas Myler and a 31-year-old Birkdale lady were taken into custody at the property just before 8 o’clock after detectives, specialized Police, and the canine squad surrounded the scene.
Both homes in Wellington Point and Chandler were searched, and several weapons were taken away. Myler faced one count of murder charges.
Following the police standoff at the Wellington Point home, Mr. Myler’s girlfriend was also brought into the jail.
According to Superintendent Massingham, before the duo was detained, authorities had tracked Mr. Myler and his partner to a Chandler home where it was thought they had hidden weapons in the backyard.
The Johnson Family Lost Their Beloved Levi Last Month
Levi was the only brother of Cherneka Johnson. He was just 23 years old at the time of the gruesome incident.
According to Cherneka, her brother wanted to watch her fight on Sunday, and this would have been the first bout he could have attended with dedication.
The Johnsons are mourning the demise of their beloved Levi. Currently, they are coping with the tragic loss of their family.
Now, the authorities have detained a third man over the alleged murder of Levi. According to Superintendent Massingham, anyone found guilty of accessory would be imposed a lifetime in jail penalty.
Cherneka Johnson Wrote An Emotional Note For Her Later Brother Levi On Instagram
Cherneka Johnson shared the demise of her younger brother, Levi, through her Instagram handle on 14 September 2022.
Sharing the tragic news, the boxer asked for privacy at the trying moment. She also mentioned that the family wants to grieve in private without reporters’ and journalists’ interference.
The pro-boxer further added, “Let alone make up your own stories about what you think is happening.”
Per the authorities, the four men engaged in the case of Levi are gang members of a crime group known as 13 Kings.
According to Superintendent Massingham, the gang has been active since 2013, and a search warrant was executed on their clubhouse in Capalaba.
Johnson World Title Dedication For Her Late Brother Levi
Cherneka Johnson will fight for the world title against fellow Australian Susie Ramadan in memory of her brother, who was killed in a stabbing last month.
The fight between undisputed lightweight champions Devin Haney and George Kambosos Jr. was the main event of the night.
Thus, Johnson could have walked away from her championship defense against Australian veteran Susie Ramadan at Rod Laver Arena without anybody having any questions.
She will compete against the Victorian veteran on the undercard of the lightweight world title rematch between George Kambosos Jr. and American Devin Haney on Sunday in Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
The Moloney brothers, Andrew and Jason, who intend to use their bouts as a stepping stone to their own world belts, are also on the high-caliber undercard that includes the women’s fight.
Cherneka Johnson Defeats Susie Ramadan And Retains IBF Title On Haney-Kambosos Event
New Zealand-born Australian boxer Cherneka Johnson sustained a gruesome cut above her forehead in the first round of her 10-round defense against Susie Ramadan on Saturday night.
As part of the undercard to the Devin Haney-George Kambosos II fight, she triumphed in a unanimous decision to keep her IBF women’s junior featherweight title.
Both of them came out fiercely behind their jab. Ramadan had blood above her right eye, while Johnson had blood coming from his nose.
However, Johnson would find herself in serious trouble late in the round when an unintentional head contact caused a huge gash to appear around her forehead.
Ramadan was knocked out in the fourth round by Johnson, who continued her winning streak. Furthermore, Cherneka’s corner was more successful in stopping the blood flow from her wound.
