This past weekend at Madison Square Garden, Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson wrote her name in history—becoming the first Māori and New Zealand‑born boxer to hold the undisputed bantamweight crown. She’s not just a Maori powerhouse; she is the embodiment of women’s boxing resurgence.
Commanding at the Garden
Fighting on the monumental undercard of Taylor vs. Serrano, Johnson dismantled American Shurretta Metcalf via a ninth‑round TKO, capturing the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO belts to solidify her status as undisputed champion TikTok+10Bad Left Hook+10YouTube+10. From round one, she bullied Metcalf’s jab with crisp right hands, landing a pivotal knockdown in the fourth and pummeling her through to an emphatic stoppage two seconds into round nine . The referee wisely waved it off, deeming Metcalf unfit to continue womenboxing.com+7Bad Left Hook+7NZ Herald+7.
A Maori Triumph
Born in Tauranga of Ngāti Ranginui Māori heritage and raised on Australia’s Gold Coast since age 11, Johnson’s triumph resonates deeply with Pacific athletes. She’s proud of her roots—becoming the first Māori to be crowned undisputed—and she carried that legacy straight to the ring. As NZ Herald noted, “Tauranga‑born boxer … first Māori to be crowned undisputed world champion”
Deep Analysis: Strategy & Impact
- Technical Mastery: Johnson seized control early, using a potent jab to set up heavyweight right hands. She systematically dismantled Metcalf’s defense across every round—a clean sweep on the scorecards womenboxing.com+11Bad Left Hook+11News.com.au+11.
- Physical Dominance: Despite a slight reach disadvantage, Johnson’s aggression and stamina wore her opponent down—landing 75 punches to Metcalf’s 21 by round eight Bad Left Hook+2NZ Herald+2Wikipedia+2.
- Psychological Edge: Her earlier setbacks—losing to Ellie Scotney in 2023—ushered in a refined mindset. She said: “I’ve envisioned this moment … I get to share it with my team” BoxingScene.com+4News.com.au+4Reddit+4. That mental toughness shone under MSG lights.
The Bigger Picture
Johnson’s achievement marks a major uplift for women’s boxing and the Polynesian sporting narrative. Fighting in such a high-profile spot at MSG—on a card backed by Jake Paul—amplifies her visibility and paves the way for more Polynesian fighters on the world stage News.com.au.
As she builds on her record (now 18‑2, 8 KOs), Johnson’s reign is a signal to promoters: audience hungers for global, culturally rich female athletes in boxing. For Polynesian girls dreaming big, she’s living proof: the ring is theirs to conquer.
