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Add FightsATW on GoogleWhat’s at stake for Cherneka Johnson in her fight against Dina Thorslund?
Johnson (19-2, 8 KOs) will put her undisputed women’s bantamweight world titles on the line against Thorslund, the previous kingpin of the division, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. The bout might not have the luster of Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor, but it could hold major significance for the division moving forward.
Let’s look at some of the storylines surrounding this bout (and card).
Is Cherneka Johnson A P4P Fighter?
If Johnson were to win, she would have put together an impressive run, beating Shuretta Metcalf, Nina Hughes (twice), and Amanda Galle, despite two losses, including one to an all-time great, Ellie Scotney.
Johnson is a puncher with a chance to become one of the notable names in women’s boxing. Being entrusted with a main event spot against another great of her era. Most fight fans are more familiar with Johnson and will favor her because of that, but this is the toughest fight she has faced since facing Scotney.
A win, she is one of the best; a loss, and you start to question where you might rank and reevaluate her resume.
Is Dina Thorslund The Best From Denmark Since Mikkel Kessler?
Thorslund (24-0, 9 KOs) is the best boxer Denmark has produced since Mikkel Kessler (and maybe Jacob Bank). An accurate puncher who has fought at home in Denmark in all but one of her fights, she was viewed as the consensus best fighter in the division by the end of 2024. Then she got pregnant. Due to the pregnancy, she gave up her unified titles, which Johnson won last summer. Sadly, her pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Thorslund hasn’t been watched by a ton of fans, but if she is anything like her prime, she is a nightmare matchup for Johnson, as she is an accurate counterpuncher.
The question is: How much passion does she still have for boxing? She returned in January, soundly outpointing Almudena Alvarez.
The Other Two Undercard Bouts
Desley Robinson is the unified women’s middleweight champion. She defeated Kaye Scott (who fights Claressa Shields next week) to earn the distinction, following it with a stoppage win over Logan Holler, and later beat Mary Spencer.
Tamm Thibeault feels like a star-in-waiting. A two-time Canadian Olympian, she will fight for the unified title in only five fights. Thibeault is the type of fighter promotions are built around, yet she recently returned to the amateurs as she prepares for a third Olympic bid and lost in the finals to Zi Yi Bao. That fight was in June. Will that have any lingering impact?
Also, women’s bantamweight Amanda Galle, coming off a “Fight of the Year” bout with main eventer Johnson, will face Shurretta Metcalf. Galle proved she is world-class, while Metcalf defeated Krystal Rosado, an unbeaten prospect, in her last fight.
Deeper on the undercard, heavyweight Dainier Pero will return to face Aleem Whitfield. Pero, a Bob Santos-trained boxer, has all the tools to be a champion and, in my opinion, is the best in the division. Teremoana Jnr, a 2024 Australian Olympian, knocked out Whitfield in one round. Given that Teremoana fights the following week against DeAndre Savage, this could be an elevation of Pero to a Teremoana.
What Does The Eye Test Say?
It is the perfect card in the sense that you can talk yourself into any fighter on the main card and not be wrong. Johnson has momentum, but Thorslund is probably more talented. Yet Thorslund has been inactive; Johnson has earned the biggest wins of her career while women’s boxing has exploded. The card is filled with real fights that create real doubts.
What Do The Odds Say?
Given how the line is set, no one feels comfortable setting a favorite. It is a sneaky good fight, as we hope the summer heat starts to cool into the fall.
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