Tauranga boxer Cherneka Johnson has lost her undisputed world bantamweight title, suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Denmark’s Dina Thorslund in Orlando, Florida.

The bout, held at Caribe Royale Orlando on Sunday (NZ time), marked Thorslund’s return to the top of the division after relinquishing her world titles in 2025 following the announcement of her pregnancy.

Johnson capitalised on Thorslund’s absence to become the undisputed world bantamweight champion when she claimed all four major belts in July 2025. She successfully defended the title later that year.

Thorslund returned to boxing earlier this year after suffering a miscarriage and built momentum by winning the interim WBC featherweight title before challenging Johnson for the undisputed crown.

Judges scored the contest unanimously in favour of Thorslund, awarding the Dane every round on the scorecards.

An emotional Thorslund reflected on the challenges she had faced during the past year in her post-fight interview.

“Things have been so hard and difficult. The worst moment of my life the last few months and even my son said a few weeks ago, ‘Next camp I’d rather be more with dad’. That hurts a mother, an arrow in my heart. But he understands,” she said.

Johnson later took to social media, questioning the extent of the judges’ verdict while acknowledging her opponent’s performance.

“Wouldn’t agree with the score cards or am a fan of the commentary after rewatching the fight but the better woman won on the night,” Johnson posted.

“Dina was the exact warrior I expected her to be. She came with ALL the heat.”

Despite the setback, Johnson vowed to return stronger.

“This is just a minor setback, nothing more. The FIRE inside me is well and truly burning for the comeback, and I’m only going to come back sharper, hungrier, and more dangerous.”

The loss is unlikely to derail Johnson’s standing in the sport. The Tauranga fighter remains one of New Zealand’s most accomplished boxers, having won world titles in two weight divisions and achieved undisputed champion status.

Potential future options could include a move back to super bantamweight, where the major world titles are vacant, or a step up to featherweight.

The Orlando card also featured Australian Desley Robinson, a familiar opponent to several New Zealand fighters including Lani Daniels, Trish Vaka and Nailini Helu.

Robinson lost her unified IBF and WBO middleweight titles to Canada’s Tamm Thibeault by unanimous decision, with judges returning the same scorecards as those recorded in Johnson’s defeat to Thorslund.

Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec’s New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.