Undisputed Johnson Aims to Dethrone Bantamweight Queen Thorslund

Cherneka Johnson, the reigning undisputed bantamweight champion, acknowledges that Dina Thorslund is still considered the division's queen.

Johnson, holding the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles, will face Thorslund, a former unified champion, in a significant bantamweight contest in Florida.

Johnson achieved undisputed status in July 2025 by defeating Shurretta Metcalf, securing the WBC and WBO belts that had been vacated by Thorslund due to her pregnancy. Thorslund was forced to withdraw from their previously scheduled unification match.

Despite experiencing a miscarriage, the undefeated Danish fighter is determined to shock the world and reclaim her titles upon her return to the ring, asserting she never truly lost them.

Tensions were already high for Thorslund's comeback with the news of her sparring partner, Raven Chapman, suffering a brain bleed during training.

'Deeper Motivation'

"There's a lot of emotion in this fight for me," the 32-year-old stated at a pre-fight press conference. "I'm too experienced to let it negatively affect me. It serves as deeper motivation than before."

"I am truly prepared, I am really looking forward to it, and I believe one person will be shocked. I can't wait to get in there.

"My objective is to stop her. That is my ultimate goal, and I won't stop until I achieve the win. If I win by decision, that's fine, but the aim is to stop her."

The upcoming showdown in Orlando will pit two contrasting figures in women's boxing against each other.

This marks Thorslund's first fight outside of Denmark or Germany in her 24-bout career, while Johnson, known as 'Sugar Neekz,' returns to the USA as a global star with a substantial social media following.

Johnson is the first Australian, male or female, to simultaneously hold all four major world titles. However, she believes she needs one final validation: defeating Thorslund, the champion she was originally scheduled to face to become undisputed.

'She Has Something I Desire'

"Many people here still view Dina as the queen of the bantamweight division," Johnson remarked.

"She possesses something I want, and I intend to take that and all these belts back home."

Nikisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, is excited about what the fans can expect on Saturday.

"Dina is one of the world's elite fighters," he told Sky Sports. "When we signed her, she was the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world according to BoxRec.

"Neekz is one of the most marketable fighters globally, and she has only improved."

"Both fighters are determined to take the belts back home from Orlando to Australia and Denmark, so I eagerly anticipate this event."