The 22-year-old declared her plan to become the world’s best female bantamweight fighter, raising her maiden Oceanic title as she spoke. 

Johnson defeated Filipino Gretel de Paz by unanimous decision to clinch the World Boxing Association crown at War in the ‘Bool 2 on Saturday.

“We’re definitely working our way to the top. This journey is only just beginning,” she said.

“My goal is to be number one in the division, I want to be number one. I want to be known as the world champ.”

Trained by Warrnambool boxing identity Rodney Ryan, Johnson  shifted her life to the south-west in September after years on the Gold Coast.

She paid tribute to the support of the region and declared Warrnambool as her undisputed home after the eight-round bout.

“Having this belt around me at the moment is amazing. To have the crowd so behind you is just amazing,” Johnson said.

“I walk out of the ring and everybody was stopping me for a photo and all my work mates were around me. 

“Just the feeling of everyone wanting to be a part of this journey is amazing.”

Johnson stood firm through a fifth round onslaught from de Paz to land several clean punches in the later stages of the fight.

She revealed patience was key to her victory.

“I definitely didn’t want to rush into things – I just had to be patient and to wait for (de Paz) to come forward,” Johnson said.

“Our game plan definitely paid off.

“I just used my boxing skills. I fought the fight that I needed to, I was there, I used my skills, and if I was in there long we would have had a scrap.

“I felt really fit, confident and sharp and I scored some clean punches."

Koroit-trained professional debutant Jyl Wright also produced a dominant all-round display to see off Tasmanian Brice Roullo.

Wright’s victory – which came via unanimous decision – sent the Warrnambool crowd into raptures.

“”I really enjoyed it, to do it in front of my family and mates was something special,” he told The Standard.

“Once you get your mates and family cheering you on, it gives that little bit more that you need.”

The former Emmanuel College student felt he could’ve “contained” himself better in the fight, but trainer Lyndon Edney disagreed.

“He loves a good, hard fight and my only concern was that he might try to come out and finish the guy too early,” Edney said.

“He stayed smart and boxed a really smart fight. He was hard, but tentative as well and didn’t do anything stupid.”