Boxing fans erupt over 'insane' Cherneka Johnson drama: 'Stop the fight'
Warning: the following story contains graphic images
Australian boxer Cherneka Johnson has been sensationally caused of doping after defending her IBF super bantamweight world title against fellow Aussie Susie Ramadan in Melbourne on Sunday.
Johnson overcame a nasty cut that left some viewers insisting the fight should be stopped, before retaining her belt with a unanimous points decision in the undercard of the George Kambosos-Devin Haney world title rematch at Rod Laver Arena.
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The challenger Ramadan had threatened an upset after a clash of heads opened up a nasty cut above the champion's eye in the second round.
Blood began streaming out of the deep gash above Johnson’s left eye, which impeded the champ's vision and left her blood-stained all over.
Grisly cut on Cherneka Johnson over at #HaneyKambosos2 pic.twitter.com/9rajuW3bRR
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 16, 2022
“The champion is badly cut over her left eye,” Main Event commentator Ben Damon said.
“It’s in a terrible spot and it is bleeding profusely. It’s right in the eye and this could be a real problem for the continuation of this fight. That is a deep wound. That’s enormous. This might cause an end to this fight.
“I don’t know Cherneka Johnson will like it if she’s caught with plenty more when she’s fighting essentially with one eye. There’s blood all over Ramadan as well.
“She is covered with blood. It’s streaming down her face and there’s no way she can see out of that eye.
Viewers were left in shock by the bloody scenes, with some questioning how the referee allowed the fight to continue.
However, others praised Johnson's cutman for being able to stem the flow of blood enough between rounds that she was allowed to keep boxing.
Stop. The. Fight. This is insane. pic.twitter.com/uJxw303Q8i
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) October 16, 2022
Johnson vs Ramadan is a bit of a blood bath isn’t it! 😧 #HaneyKambosos2
— Dan 🔰 (@Dee_Cee95x) October 16, 2022
Johnson’s face is fully covered in blood from that cut. My gawd #boxing
— Cynthia Conte (@cynthia_conte) October 16, 2022
This Ramadan vs Johnson fight tho. That’s a lot of blood
— F҉E҉M҉T҉O҉ (@OGMessico) October 16, 2022
Cherneka Johnson's face has so much blood, but she knocked down Ramadan and is back in this fight. #HaneyKambosos2
— Daniel Yanofsky (@DanYanofsky) October 16, 2022
Chernika Johnson what a warrior, what a fight. Was dripping in blood but carried through the whole 10 rounds and won #HaneyvKambosos 🥊
— ItzHina (@ItzHinaaa) October 16, 2022
What a performance here in #Melbourne by @sugarneekz Johnson and what a spirited effort from Ramadan. Cherneka was cut BADLY in round 2. Terrific work by the Cutman and the champ fighting through a lot of blood. Johnson clearly up after 9. What a day for the women of #boxing …
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) October 16, 2022
Cherneka Johnson's cutman, Craig Wilson has done an incredible job.
Each round, he has been able to slow down the flow of blood streaming from above the eye of Johnson.
Some effort from the corner.#ozboxing #boxing— Aus-Boxing.com (@ausboxing) October 16, 2022
Rival accuses Cherneka Johnson of doping
Incredibly, the blood-soaked Johnson, who won the belt in Melbourne in June, defied the gruesome nature of the injury to battle her way to a memorable win.
A five-time former world champion, 43-year-old opponent Ramadan was unhappy with the judges' decision and the fight referee.
"It seemed like a set-up to be honest," Ramadan said in the ring post-fight.
"My name's Ramadan but I'm a proud Australian. I was born and raised here."
She went on to claim New Zealand-born Johnson should be drug tested after making an extraordinary accusation about the fighter without any semblance of proof.
"I hope she gets tested too, because I've been told she's on it," Ramadan said, providing no evidence for her claims.
The 27-year-old champion dedicated victory to her brother Levi, who died in a stabbing in Brisbane last month.
"I freaked out a bit in the first round with the cut and felt the blood in my eye but I just tried to stay calm," said Johnson, who fights out of Melbourne.
"I knew I could get through it if I stayed on my jab and didn't get stuck in a brawl.
"I'm dedicating this to my brother and I'm so glad I got the job done - I know he's here in my corner."
with AAP
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