Dina Thorslund: Beyond The Ropes

Dina Thorslund: Beyond The Ropes

It was always somewhat perplexing that the odds were close. Even more surprising was that so many people thought that Cherneka Johnson would beat Dina Thorslund on Saturday night in Florida in their showdown for the undisputed world bantamweight titles.

That is not being disrespectful to Johnson. The Australian is a very good fighter in her own right. But Thorslund is better than good. Much better. And many had forgotten just how good she is. Too much emphasis was put on the ‘comeback’ fight earlier this year and not what came before it.

Thorslund dominated the brave Johnson, who lost her undisputed status to Thorslund in a fight where the Danish fighter reminded everyone of her immense talent. Thorslund won every round on the scorecards. All three scoring officials scored it 100-90. It was a thoroughly dominant performance, and one that demonstrated the difference between a good fighter and an elite one.

In many ways, it’s been a long time coming. “I have been collecting belts for many years,” Thorslund said at the post-fight press conference. “I’m undefeated as well and have been world champion for seven years, but everyone has been avoiding me. So it’s been difficult to collect them all.”

The new undisputed bantamweight champion of the world will now re-enter the pound-for-pound discussion. Her place on the various lists should be guaranteed. Thorslund is that good. The only question is, how high should she be ranked?

Thorslund (25-0) hasn’t lost a professional fight. She barely drops a round, let alone being remotely in danger of losing a fight. You have to go back to 2018 and her fight with the Jamaican Alicia Ashley for a fight where the cards were anywhere near close. Despite everything she has achieved, the two-division world champion can still be put on the underappreciated list. But the 32-year-old can now look forward to fights that can change that perception.

Thorslund won the WBO super-bantamweight title in 2018, and a move up the weights can’t be ruled out. After clearing up at bantamweight, Thorslund might look above for her next challenge.

New MVP signing Skye Nicolson, the WBC super-bantamweight champion, was ringside on Saturday night. A fight between the pair would tick many boxes. A clash of styles that will be incredibly intriguing how it plays out. Nicolson has been starved of the big fights against the elite fighters; Thorslund could give her everything she craves. Dina Thorslund vs. Skye Nicolson would be very high on my list of fights to make in 2027. Thorslund shouldn’t be short of viable, lucrative options going forward. Nicolson isn’t her only potential opponent in that ever-increasing MVP roster of elite female talent. Could she even look at featherweight for future challenges? But whoever or whatever is next, on the evidence of her performance on Saturday night, Dina Thorslund will be an extremely difficult fighter to beat.

Photo Credit: Most Valuable Promotions