Nina Hughes admits worry remains over the outcome of her bantamweight world title rematch with Cherneka Johnson this weekend in Sydney, but that it's time to snatch her belt back.

The 42-year-old won the WBA 118-pound title from Jamie Mitchell in November 2022 and defended a few months later against Katie Healy. But her fight with Johnson in Perth last May caused serious controversy.

The bout, which took place on the undercard of George Kambosos Jr-Vasiliy Lomachenko, ended in a majority decision win for Johnson after a close fight which Hughes thought she did enough to win.

The real controversy, however, came when ring announcer Dan Hennessey initially announced the scores in favour of Hughes, who moments later was left in despair when the result was corrected.

Both the mishap and the scores were lambasted and, as a consequence, the WBA ordered an immediate rematch.

Hughes (6-1, 2 KOs) is adamant she'll get her belt back, but knows the element of home fighter-favouritism could still loom over the contest.

"Because of the last decision, we appealed to the WBA and they acknowledged the bad judging and they made me mandatory," she told The Ring.

"So we always knew it would happen, it was just a matter of when and waiting for the opportunity. So, yeah, we're here now, got the rematch and now it's time to get my belt back.

"Obviously, I've come to Australia twice now, Perth, I've been to Dubai, you've just got to make the most of every experience enjoy it.

"I guess now, running it back with Cherneka Johnson I mean, it needs no introduction what happened with the first fight.

"Obviously, there's always that worry [it may happen again], but that side of things is taken out of my hands, so I've just got to focus on myself, putting on a dominant performance and what will be, will be.

"I'll win, that's all there is to it, I'll get that win."

Johnnson, who previously dropped her IBF junior-featherweight belt to Ellie Scotney, was born in New Zealand but represents Australia.

Earlier this week she said that she's also been irked by Hennessy's gaffe.

"If the ring announcer didn't make that mistake, I feel like we're going on to other fights rather than a rematch," she told Uncrowned.

"A little bit [annoying], but it is what it is. I'm happy just to be back fighting again."