Nina Hughes vs. Cherneka Johnson: Live round-by-round updates

Nina Hughes vs. Cherneka Johnson in a WBA women's bantamweight title bout will serve as the co-main for the lightweight title clash between Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. at RAC Arena in Perth later tonight.

Hughes (6-0) has already defended the WBA title once. In her last fight, the Englishwoman claimed a unanimous decision win over Katie Healy, who was undefeated when the pair fought.

Interestingly, the 41-year-old has more title fights than non-title bouts in her professional career.

The other half of the contest, Johnson (15-2) is a former IBF women's world super bantamweight champion. She is 3-2 in her last five, with her latest fight ending in a unanimous decision loss against Ellie Scotney.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook Hughes is a -195 favorite for the matchup with Johnson a +155 underdog.

Catch the live coverage and play-by-play updates for Hughes vs. Johnson only on Sportskeeda.

Watch Nina Hughes and Cherneka Johnson face off below:

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Nina Hughes vs. Cherneka Johnson

Round 1:

As the opening round unfolds, the champion is the aggressor connecting with crips one-twos. Johnson sneaks in a short uppercut from inside.

Not much to separate the two in the opening round.

Round 2:

Hughes connects with a combo up and Johnson pushes her opponent onto the ropes. Incredible work rate from the champion. Johnson is finding it hard to connect with clean shots.

Round 3:

The champion digs into the body but finds it hard to split her foe's guard. Johnson misses with jabs as she tries to push the pace. An overhand right lands for Hughes.

A short right hand lands for Johnson. An overhand right connects for Hughes.

Round 4:

Hughes has outlanded her opponent 31-7 so far. The champion rushes the pace with a flurry. Johnson is still finding it hard to land clean punches. She gets lit up with a power jab while closing distance.

The referee momentarily stops the contest to resecure Hughes' mouthpiece. The champion clearly has the speed advantage.

Round 5:

Hughes seems to have the more efficient footwork punching in and out of range of her opponent. Johnson looks like she is looking for an opportunity to land a haymaker.

A three-punch combo lands for Hughes.

Round 6:

Johnson finds success early in the round as she connects with a few left hands. Hughes connects with an overhand right from the clinch. Both women trade in the clinch.

Johnson is now the aggressor, putting the champion on the back foot. A crushing power jab momentarily stuns Hughes. Johnson digs to the body from the clinch.

It looks like Johnson is trying to make it a phone booth fight.

Round 7:

Hughes is peppering her opponent going up top and down low to start the round. Johnson is trying to close the range but the champion's footwork is negating her opponent's advances.

While Johnson is trying to push the pace, she is finding it hard to land clean on her quicker opponent.

Round 8:

Johnson connects with a few jabs. However, the champion pushes back with body shots. Johnson is having success when she is the aggressor, but she is getting lit up most of the time when she tries to close the distance.

Hughes connects with body shots as she pounces out of range of her opponent.

Round 9:

Johnson is using her bigger frame to forcefully push back her opponent, forcing her to fight off the ropes.

The challenger connects with a right hand up top. Looks like Johnson is slowly finding her rhythm.

Round 10:

In the final two minutes, Johnson comes out as the aggressor. She connects a few punches on her opponent near the ropes. A short right hand on the inside lands for Johnson. A significant swelling appears near Hughes' eyes.

Johnson is trying to overwhelm her opponent with great output. The champion trades back with a flurry. Both women trade near the ropes to close out the contest.

Stay tuned for the official results.

Official Decision: Cherneka Johnson def. Nina Hughes via majority decision.