By: Sean Crose
Cherneka Johnson slipped into the ring in Florida on Saturday night to defend her numerous bantamweight titles against the well-regarded former world titlist Dina Thorslund. The fight, part of Jake Paul’s MVP Promotions, was broadcast live on ESPN and was scheduled for 10 2 minute rounds. What made the pairing interesting was the fact that the 32-year-old Thorslund had yet to lose a fight. The 31-year-old Johnson had two losses on her resume, but she hadn’t been defeated in years. Indeed, Australia’s Johnson had won her last four in a row. Yet while Thorslund may have been the underdog, it would not have been wise to write her off out of hand.
“There’s a lot of emotion in this fight for me,” she’s said. “It’s deeper motivation than before.” No one would deny that Thorslund was well prepared for her big moment Saturday in Florida. “I’m really prepared,” she added. “I ‘m really looking forward to it and I think one person will be shocked. I cannot wait to get in there.” That undoubtedly was something Johnson could agree with her on… The fact that she was extremely confident. Johnson had confidence too however, and with good reason. She held three Bantamweight titles after all.
“I’m not winning the way that I should or the way that I know that I could,” she said to the Ring . “I’m constantly improving and leveling up,” Johnson made it clear to the Ring she saw Thorslund as seriousl competition. “This one here is going to be the best one to date because when you have a quality dance partner, I feel like it brings out the best in you and that’s exactly what’s going to happen.” It was worth noting that there was history between the two women. “At one point,” ,Johnson said, “she had the belts that I wanted, and I was chasing her.”
Such matters we’re likely to come to an end when the opening bell finally sounded however. Thorslund’s aggression told the story of the first round. Johnson didn’t do much but perhaps she was looking to feel her opponent out. Johnson had a better second round, but Thorslund’s forward motion and plethora of punches we’re undeniable. And indeed Thorslund’s high number of punches let her to edge the third, as well. The 4th saw Johnson engage more effectively with the hungry challenger. In the 5th it was Johnson who became the aggressor.
The 6th was close, with both combatants trading leather. In the 7th it was obvious that Thorslund was the stronger, and perhaps even bigger fighter. Perhaps of Johnson’s punches were more accurate but that all might have seemed different. The challenger continued to edge Johnson in the 8th. An interesting point: the high energy Thorslund wasn’t wearing out after exerting herself for eight rounds. Johnson simply didn’t do enough in the night to turn the fight around. With one round to go, the talented Aussie likely had to go for a knockout or stoppage in order to maintain possession of her titles.
Even in the final round, Johnson wasn’t able to change the direction the fight was heading in. With only 2 minutes to save her title reign, the defending titlist simply wasn’t able to hurt or seriously break down Thorslund’s momentum. Unsurprisingly, Thorslund was awarded the unanimous decision victory from the judges after the final bell had sounded. The Danish warrior was able to defeat Johnson and knock her of her perch as the top bantamweight in the world. The truth was that Johnson simply couldn’t get through the challenger’s punches enough to pull out the victory. It was a good night for Thorslund, whose talent, hard work and gamesmanship carried her to the rank of major title holder.
