Boxing 2022: ‘Worst cut ever on a female fighter’ overshadows George Kambosos v Devin Haney bout
A boxing Hall of Fame American promoter called it the most blood he had seen on a female fighter, but was it the advertisement boxing really wanted? Have your say.
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Cherneka Johnson has been hailed as the toughest female fighter ever seen after defying a horrifying head cut to retain her world title.
New Zealand-born Melburnian Johnson overcame a torrent of blood and sensational allegations from her rival that she was a drug cheat to retain her world title against Susie Ramadan at Marvel Stadium.
George Kambosos’ rematch with Devin Haney may have been the main event, but Johnson stole the show with a lion-hearted display to stave off a gutsy Ramadan in a super bantamweight bloodbath.
In her maiden title defence, Johnson was in major trouble early when she suffered a nasty cut above her left eye after a second-round head clash.
The fight doctor went close to calling off the fight in the third round after inspecting Johnson’s bloodied forehead, but after allowing the IBF world-title bout to continue, Johnson showed the heart of a true champion.
After some impressive corner work, in which vaseline was used to stem the flow of blood, Johnson was allowed to fight on into the fourth and incredibly dropped Ramadan in the final seconds of the round.
In the second half of the 10-round fight, the blood flow began to ease, giving Johnson confidence as the 27-year-old traded on her speed to claim a unanimous points victory (97-90, 96-92, 96-91).
Boxing Hall of Fame American promoter Lou DiBella, whose company put on the Kambosos-Haney rematch, said it was the remarkable performance he has seen from a female fighter.
“Cherneka is a warrior — that was the worst cut I have ever seen in a female fighter,” DiBella said.
“I have never seen that amount of blood on a female fighter ever.
“The cut was down to the bone and you could see the bone in pictures after the fight, she is bloody tough.
“It happens a lot in boxing where women are seizing the moment.
“She could have checked out of that fight and she could have said, ‘I can’t see’, so they stop the fight and she wins on points because she was ahead.
“How many men check out in those situations?
“Woman are tough, they give birth, a little bit of blood doesn’t bother them.
“Her head was cut to the bone and Cherneka showed she is as tough as it gets.”
It was an emotional win for Johnson, whose brother died in a violent incident in Brisbane just a month ago.
“This was a dedication to my brother. I’m so glad I got the job done. I know he’s here in my corner with me,” she said.
Of her shocking wound, Johnson said: “I really dug deep, I nearly freaked out when I felt all the blood running down.
“When it first started, I couldn’t see out of my left eye. But I knew if I used my jab and stayed away from a brawl I’d be OK.”
Ramadan, who landed some good shots, made an explosive statement post-fight, claiming Johnson dabbles in doping.
“I hope I get another chance, hopefully in my weight division too, because these girls are a little bit too big,” she said.
“We’ll hopefully get her tested too, because I’ve been told she’s on it (performance-enhancing drugs).
“So, we’ll see.”
Kambosos vows to latest setback is not the end
A shattered George Kambosos insists he will not retire in the wake of his punishing but courageous loss to Devin Haney in a blood-and-thunder rematch in Melbourne.
Before the return bout at Rod Laver Arena, Kambosos flagged the prospect of potentially walking away from the sport if he failed to exact revenge for his world-title loss to Haney in their first showdown at Marvel Stadium in June.
Having made an estimated $10 million-plus from the Haney double header, it is understandable if Kambosos chose to pull the pin, knowing his heroic world-title boilover of Teofimo Lopez last November can never be erased.
But in the aftermath of his second consecutive loss to Haney, this one more violent, braveheart ‘Ferocious’ insists he will rise again.
“This isn’t the end,” said Kambosos, his face battered and the right side of his head pouring blood after the Haney hatchet job.
“I’m still a big, big name in the world of boxing.
“I hope you guys don’t forget the ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos … I’ll be back.”
Just a year ago, Kambosos was eyeing a unification blockbuster against Ukraine sensation Vasiliy Lomachenko after his Lopez victory, but this latest failure against Haney will see him drop in the world rankings.
However, having Lopez as a scalp on his resume means Kambosos, who at 29 could fight for at least another five years, can still attract world-class opponents.
And if Haney moves up a division as he has indicated, all four lightweight belts would be vacated, giving Kambosos hope of a world-title resurrection down the track.
“I don’t know how much longer Devin can stay at 135 pounds (lightweight) because he is so big, so he might move up,” he said.
“I gave my blood, sweat and tears in this fight.
“With my speed and counter punching, anyone else at 135 I can beat.
“When I landed some shots in the first, I thought here we go, but Devin is so smart.
“I will be champion again, this is not the end. There are some big fights out there for me.”
Kambosos’ promoter Lou DiBella was blown away by the former world champion’s refusal to go down as Haney unloaded.
“George knew he was walking into a tornado and he did it anyway,” he said.
“George took some huge punches, he got hit with some bombs and I don’t know how he was standing in the 10th round.”
DiBella likened the classy Haney to American boxing great Floyd Mayweather.
“Devin is a brilliant technician,” he said.
“We could see Devin Haney at the top of the business for a decade, he has that talent.”
Haney paid tribute to Kambosos’ toughness.
“I knew he was tough,” The Dream said.
“He took some big shots.
“In the later rounds, I could hear him hurt, but he was a tough competitor.
“I dominated more than the first fight. Last time it was my jab but this time I showed my hook and general ringmanship.
“Whatever style I choose, I can win. I let my hands go and it worked.”
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