Cherneka Johnson may already hold the undisputed bantamweight crown, but she openly acknowledges that Dina Thorslund still claims the throne in the eyes of many fans. The Australian fighter, who currently carries the WBA, WBC, IBF and OBO titles, will face the Danish former unified champion in what promoters have billed as a historic showdown at MVPW-05 in Florida.
The path to Johnson's undisputed status began in July 2025 when she out‑pointed Shurretta Metcalf to capture the vacant WBC and WBO belts. Those championships had been left empty after Thorslund pulled out of a planned unification bout, citing a pregnancy that later resulted in a tragic miscarriage.
The Danish athlete, unbeaten in 24 professional contests, has vowed to return to the sport with a fierce determination to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers – a claim that has added an extra layer of emotional intensity to the upcoming clash. The pre‑fight atmosphere grew even more charged when news broke that Thorslund's sparring partner, British boxer Raven Chapman, suffered a serious brain bleed after a training collapse. The incident underscored the inherent risks of the sport and reminded everyone that the stakes are high, both physically and mentally.
"There’s a lot of emotion in this fight for me," the 32‑year‑old Thorslund told reporters during a press conference. "I’m too experienced to let it affect me negatively. It’s deeper motivation than before. I’m fully prepared, I’m looking forward to it, and I think one of us will be shocked.
I can’t wait to get in there." Johnson, known in the ring as "Sugar Neekz," echoed a similarly fierce resolve. "My aim is to stop her.
That’s the ultimate goal for me, and I won’t stop until I secure the win. If I win on the scorecards, fine, but my intention is a stoppage," she declared. The two athletes embody contrasting personalities within women’s boxing, and their meeting in Orlando promises a compelling narrative. For Thorslund, the bout marks her first fight outside of Denmark or Germany in her 24‑fight career, a significant change of scenery that could influence her performance.
Johnson, on the other hand, is returning to the United States as a global boxing star with nearly half a million followers across social media platforms. She also holds the distinction of being the first Australian—male or female—to simultaneously hold all four major world titles in a single division.
Yet, despite these achievements, Johnson admits there is still a piece of validation missing. "A lot of people still see Dina as the queen of the bantamweight division," Johnson said.
"She possesses something I want, and I’m going to take that, along with all these belts, back home." Nikisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, expressed his excitement for the event, noting the significance of the matchup for both athletes' home countries. "Dina is one of the best in the world," he said to Sky Sports.
"When we signed her, she was the BoxRec No. 1 pound‑for‑pound athlete globally. Neekz is among the most marketable fighters on the planet and she only keeps improving.
Both are determined to carry the belts back to Australia and Denmark, so I can’t wait to see how it unfolds." The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action at 3 a.m. Sunday, with streaming options available on the NOW platform for those who prefer a contract‑free experience. Boxing enthusiasts can also follow the latest updates, highlights, and analyses via Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel, and catch weekly discussions on the Toe2Toe podcast. In summary, the upcoming Orlando clash pits an undisputed champion eager to cement her legacy against a resilient former queen determined to reclaim her position.
The bout not only represents a battle for the 118‑pound world titles but also a personal narrative of redemption, motivation, and the pursuit of ultimate validation within the sport. Whether Johnson secures a decisive stoppage or Thorslund proves the depth of her experience, the fight promises to be a defining moment in women’s bantamweight boxing, with the outcome set to reverberate across both Australia and Denmark for months to come.