Cherneka Johnson may already hold the undisputed bantamweight crown, but she openly acknowledges that Denmark’s Dina Thorslund still commands a great deal of respect within the division. The upcoming bout, billed as a marquee showdown on the MVPW‑05 card in Florida, will see the reigning champion – who currently carries the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO belts – square off against the former unified title‑holder in what promises to be a historic encounter. Johnson’s path to undisputed status was cemented in July 2025 when she stopped Shurretta Metcalf to capture the vacant WBC and WBO titles.
Those belts had been left empty after Thorslund withdrew from a scheduled unification fight, citing her pregnancy. The Danish fighter endured a heartbreaking miscarriage and has since vowed to return to the ring with a renewed purpose, intent on reclaiming the titles she never truly lost. The emotional stakes have been amplified by recent news from Thorslund’s camp.
Her sparring partner, British boxer Raven Chapman, suffered a serious brain bleed after collapsing during a training session, casting a somber shadow over the Danish contender’s preparation. Despite the unsettling circumstances, Thorslund remains focused and determined. "There’s a lot of emotion in this fight for me," the 32‑year‑old said at a pre‑fight press conference. "I’m too experienced to let it affect me negatively.
It actually gives me deeper motivation than before. I’m fully prepared, I’m looking forward to it, and I think one person will be shocked. I can’t wait to get in there." Johnson echoed a similarly fierce mindset. "My aim is to stop her.
That is the high aim for me, and I’m not going to stop until I get the win. If I win by decision, fine, but the aim is to stop her," she declared, underscoring her belief that a definitive finish would settle any lingering doubts about her supremacy.
The Saturday night clash in Orlando pits two contrasting personalities against each other. Thorslund will be fighting outside her home base of Denmark or Germany for the first time in a 24‑fight career, while Johnson – known to fans as "Sugar Neekz" – returns to the United States as a global star with nearly half a million followers across social platforms. Johnson also holds the distinction of being the first Australian, male or female, to simultaneously hold all four major world titles in a weight class, yet she feels a final piece of validation is missing.
"A lot of people still look at Dina as the queen of the bantamweight division," Johnson said. "She’s got something I want, and I’m going to take that and all of these belts back home." Nikisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, expressed his excitement for fight fans. "Dina is one of the best in the world," he told Sky Sports. "When we signed her, she was the BoxRec No.
1 pound‑for‑pound athlete globally. Neekz is one of the most marketable fighters in the sport and she has only gotten better.
Both are vowing to take the belts back home—from Orlando to Australia and Denmark—so I can’t wait to see it." Beyond the personal narratives, the bout carries broader significance for women's boxing. It showcases the sport’s growing commercial appeal, with both athletes drawing sizable audiences and lucrative sponsorships. The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action at 3 a.m. Sunday, and streaming options are available on NOW, offering fans a contract‑free way to watch the action.
In the lead‑up, analysts have highlighted the stylistic contrast between the two combatants. Johnson is known for her aggressive, high‑pressure approach, leveraging her southpaw stance and powerful left hook to overwhelm opponents. Thorslund, by contrast, relies on technical precision, footwork, and a disciplined jab to control distance. The clash of these styles could produce a tactical chess match inside the ring, with each fighter forced to adapt on the fly.
Training camps have also revealed differing philosophies. Johnson’s team has emphasized conditioning and power punching, aiming to end the fight before the final bell.
Thorslund’s camp, meanwhile, has focused on defensive drills and counter‑punching, seeking to exploit any openings Johnson leaves when she presses forward. Both camps have expressed confidence that their fighter can execute the game plan on fight night.
If Johnson emerges victorious, she will cement her place as the undisputed queen of the bantamweight division, having defeated the woman many still consider the true monarch. A win would also reinforce her historic achievement as the first Australian to hold all four major belts simultaneously, potentially opening doors for more high‑profile fights in the United States and Europe. Conversely, a Thorslund triumph would rewrite recent boxing history. It would demonstrate that even after personal tragedy and a long layoff, a fighter can return to the pinnacle of the sport.
It would also restore the narrative that Thorslund never truly relinquished her claim to the throne, reaffirming her status as a dominant force in women’s bantamweight boxing. Regardless of the outcome, the fight promises to deliver drama, skill, and emotion—a potent combination that underscores why women’s boxing continues to capture the imagination of fans worldwide. As the countdown to MVPW‑05 ticks down, the boxing community watches with bated breath, eager to see which athlete will ascend to undisputed glory and carry the belts back to their home nations.