Johnson Defends Bantamweight Title
In an electrifying bout featured in the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua event, Cherneka Johnson successfully defended her bantamweight title against Amanda Galle. The match concluded with Johnson emerging victorious via unanimous decision, with judges scoring it 99-91, 98-92, and 97-93. This contest marked Johnson’s first defense of her undisputed championship that she achieved earlier this year in July.
Relentless Challenge from Galle
Despite entering the ring as the clear favorite, Johnson faced a relentless challenge from Galle, who pressed forward with a high volume of punches throughout the ten two-minute rounds. By the end of the fight, both competitors had unleashed over 500 punches, with Johnson slightly edging Galle in landed strikes, recording 135 to Galle’s 124. This aggressive style from Galle, boasting a record of 12-1-1 with one knockout, almost resulted in an upset.
Fight Dynamics and Resilience
The early rounds saw both fighters sustaining cuts due to a head clash, with Johnson suffering first. However, the champion displayed resilience, acknowledging the chaotic nature of the fight:
“I was bleeding first and then I saw her bleeding, all the blood on the floor. I was like, ‘Here we go, here’s another bloodbath.’ But I’ve been through it before,”
Johnson recounted during an interview with Ariel Helwani from Uncrowned.
While Galle’s strategy initially seemed to disrupt Johnson’s rhythm, the champ gradually gained control as the match progressed, feeling confident as the judges’ scores were read:
“I was so confident that I was winning all the rounds. Didn’t get the job done earlier than what we sort of had planned, but we still got the job done at the end,”
she reflected.
Johnson’s Journey and Future
Johnson’s journey to this title defense has been notable. After facing setbacks in 2022, including a loss to Ellie Scotney, she rebounded strongly, capturing and then unifying the WBA title with decisive victories over Nina Hughes and Surretta Metcalf. With this recent bout secured, Johnson cements her status as a leading figure in women’s boxing, continuing her reign in the bantamweight division.
For those interested in detailed coverage of the Paul vs. Joshua fight, including live updates and highlights, refer to Uncrowned’s dedicated hub for the event.
