Tauranga-born boxer Cherneka Johnson is set to fight for a world title next month, as she puts her 13-1-0 record on the line in hopes of claiming the vacant IBF World Super Bantamweight title on April 20.

Johnson, who competes under the Australia flag, will be facing Mexican boxer Melissa Esquivel (12-2-1) at the Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia.

Johnson will be hoping to get back on track after falling just short in her last fight, a split decision loss to Shannon O'Connell for the WBA Gold Bantamweight title on the Michael Zerafa vs Anthony Mundine undercard in March last year.

Johnson previously won her first professional title in December 2017 where she defeated Filipino boxer Gretel de Paz for the vacant WBA Oceania bantamweight title.

A few months later she defeated Thailand boxer Rungnapha Kaewkrachang by stoppage to win the vacant WIBA World Bantamweight title. From there Johnson started climbing the major boxing rankings, peaking at second in the IBF and sixth in the WBA.

Now, she gets a chance to pick up a global title, but will face stiff competition from her Mexican opponent.

Esquivel won her first professional boxing title in 2021 when she won the WBC FECARBOX female super bantamweight title against Marisol Corona. But much like Jackson, Esquivel comes into this fight on the back of a title fight defeat, losing to Erika Cruz Hernandez in a WBA World Bantamweight title clash.

Both boxers are stepping up in weight to fight for a chance to become world champion.

Johnson will have the hometown advantage as the fight will be held in Australia.

The fight will be the co-main event of the evening alongside the IBF Middleweight eliminator Michael Zerafa vs Issac Hardman.