Julianna Rodriguez Acevedo hopes for WBA showdown with Cherneka Johnson

Julianna Rodriguez Acevedo is targeting a showdown with WBA bantamweight titleholder Cherneka Johnson.

Acevedo, 9-0 (6 KOs), earned a third-round technical knockout win over Alondra Ballesteros Ocegueda in February. It marked her second fight outside of her hometown of San Jose, Costa Rica, and her first fight with her manager, Sam Contreras Snr.

Acevedo, 27, signed a management deal with Contreras prior to the bout. Contreras spoke to BoxingScene en route to his son Sammy Contreras Jnr’s upcoming fight on Saturday on the undercard of Emanuel Navarrete-Charly Suarez. Though many might see Acevedo rallying for a title fight and consider it too early in her career, Contreras believes otherwise.

“In women’s boxing, having nine fights is almost equivalent to a male fighter having 15 to 18 fights,” Contreras told BoxingScene. “Julianna was ranked number two in the world and had also captured both the Latin WBC and Latin WBA championships. A fight against Cherneka would be exciting, as their styles would clash and both are very tough competitors.”

So how did they meet? Contreras has worked with many fighters in the past outside of his son. He never lost a fight as an amateur or professional with Cesar Diaz, and he helped get Marlen Esparza some high-profile fights such as the Seniesa Estrada bout. Conreras explained how boxing trainer Ernesto Aroche made the connection.

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“We met through a Cuban boxing coach who was stationed in Costa Rica, leading the national team as she prepared for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” Contreras said. “Aroche, the Cuban coach, reached out to me because he cares a lot for her and asked if I could assist her in her professional career, as she was facing some difficulties with her previous promoter.”

Acevedo’s first dream was to be an Olympian, but Costa Rica denied her participation in the 2020 Olympic Games. Now she hopes that a future fight against Johnson, 17-2 (7 KOs), can be made. Acevedo turned pro in 2021 and is itching for a chance to face the elite. 

“Besides my friendship with Aroche, I have observed her professional career and noted that she is a very dedicated worker and exceptionally strong puncher,” Contreras said. “She is hungry for success and eager for a challenging fight. She’s hungry and she wants a big tough fight.”