Cherneka Johnson W10 Melissa Esquivel... According to the New Zealand Herald, Cherneka Johnson won the vacant IBF super bantamweight title in Melbourne, Australia, taking a split decision over Mexico's Melissa Esquivel. Scores were 96-94 and 97-93 for Johnson, overruling a 96-95 tally for Esquivel. Johnson is now 14-1, while Esquivel falls to 12-3-1. The title was last held by Daniella Romina Bermudez, who moved up to featherweight and was beaten by Amanda Serrano. Johnson is the second Māori to win a world boxing title following in the footsteps of Ngapuhi Daniella Smith, who won the inaugural IBF female welterweight title in 2010. A non-Maori New Zelanader, Geovana Peres, won the WBO female light heavyweight title in March 2019.