Dina Thorslund wants to regain the two bantamweight world titles she gave up earlier in the year – and facing Cherneka Johnson for those belts would actually be a case of double or nothing.
Thorslund, 23-0 (9 KOs), was supposed to bring her WBC and WBO titles into a unification bout with then-IBF beltholder Shurretta Metcalf in July on the undercard of Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano III.
But Thorslund pulled out because she was pregnant. She vacated her titles, which were subsequently up for grabs when Metcalf instead faced her replacement opponent, WBA titleholder Cherneka Johnson, 18-2 (8 KOs). That fight ended with Johnson stopping Metcalf in the ninth round to become the undisputed champion at 118lbs.
Sadly, Thorslund suffered a miscarriage. She is slated to return January 31 in Denmark underneath Jacob Bank vs. William Scull.
And then the goal is for Thorslund to challenge Johnson, according to Mike Leanardi of Most Valuable Promotions, which has both women in its sizable stable of talented female fighters. Leanardi spoke of the plans on Thursday at the WBO’s annual convention.
“She hasn’t fought since October of last year [2024],” Leanardi said, referencing Thorslund’s wide decision win over the 15-5 Terumi Nuki. “We felt that it was important for her to get a fight.”
The WBO will allow those plans to move forward, according to Gustavo Olivieri, the sanctioning body’s president.
“In light of Dina’s personal circumstance, the committee determined that once Dina Thorslund would be willing, ready and able to fight again, she would get a chance to fight for the title,” Olivieri said during the convention. “Now bear in mind [...] If Dina loses [the tune-up fight], she loses her chance to fight for the title.”
Johnson also has to get through her next fight. She is due to face Amanda Galle, 12-0-1 (1 KO), on November 14 on the undercard of the Jake Paul-Gervonta “Tank” Davis exhibition on Netflix.
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
