Change of Plans: Shurretta Metcalf to Face Cherneka Johnson for Undisputed Bantamweight Title
The historic title bout for Dallas fighter Shurretta Metcalf streaming live next month on Netflix just had a curveball thrown its way five weeks ahead of the fight.
In a switch of opponents, Metcalf (14-4-1, 2 KOs), the reigning IBF bantamweight world champion, will now face Most Valuable Promotions’ newest signee and WBA bantamweight world champion Cherneka Johnson (17-2, 7 KOs) for the undisputed bantamweight title on Friday, July 11 at Madison Square Garden, MVP tells The Dallas Morning News.
The Reason Behind the Change
On Thursday, Dina Thorslund (23-0, 9 KOs), the current unified bantamweight champion and BoxRec’s No. 1 pound-for-pound female boxer, officially withdrew from her scheduled title unification bout against Metcalf due to a recently discovered pregnancy.
Thorslund voluntarily relinquished her WBO championship and received the approval of the WBC to be designated as a “champion in recess.” The now-vacant unified belts will remain on the line in addition to Johnson’s WBA and Metcalf’s IBF bantamweight titles next month.
A New Opportunity for Johnson
Johnson, fighting out of Gold Coast, Australia, is a two-weight world champion. She will face Metcalf in a 10-round world title showdown at 118 pounds on the first-ever all-women’s professional boxing card at Madison Square Garden. This will be Johnson’s first bout in the United States and with a win would become the first ever undisputed Australian champion in the four belt era.
“This feels like a true ‘pinch me’ moment, being part of an all-women’s card headlined by the incredible Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor,” said Johnson.
“The magnitude of this moment isn’t lost on me, and I’m ready to rise to it.”
Metcalf’s Journey to the Top
Born in Oak Cliff, Metcalf turned to underground boxing in 2012 and fought over 100 fights, sometimes fighting as often as twice a week, to support her family. The single mother has two sons, the oldest of whom is autistic. Outside her boxing career, she owns and runs a boutique and salon, works as a personal trainer, and has a mobile bartending business.
“I’m about to make history as the first undisputed bantamweight champion — and I’m doing it from Dallas, Texas,” said Metcalf in a statement. “Nothing in my career has come easy, but every fight, every sacrifice led to this moment. I was built for this. My time is now, and I will rise and conquer.”
Thorslund’s Withdrawal and Future Plans
“Life can be such a roller coaster, especially as a female boxer. I was really looking forward to this fight — the biggest moment of my career,” said Thorslund in a statement.
“Even though the decision was easy, the athlete in me is sad, as I so wanted to stand in that ring and make history on Friday, July 11. But I’ll be back! The fire that MVP has lit in me only burns even stronger, and when I do step back in the ring, there will be another little person that I can fight for and be a role model for.”
Upon her return to the ring, Thorslund may request to be designated mandatory challenger to ensure she has the opportunity to fight for those titles once she is ready.
Taylor-Serrano III and the Historic All-Women’s Card
Johnson vs. Metcalf joins a decorated card of women’s stars, topped by the trilogy rematch of Ireland’s pound-for-pound icon and undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) facing Brooklyn’s Puerto Rican trailblazer and unified featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs).
Taylor defeated Serrano for a second time last November at AT&T Stadium in the co-main event of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout in Arlington.
Taylor-Serrano III will headline the first-ever all-women’s card in MSG history. The mega-event features the most world championship belts ever contested on a single fight card, male or female, with 21 world title belts on the line across five fights.
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Conclusion
The change in opponents for Shurretta Metcalf’s upcoming title bout has brought a new level of excitement to the already historic all-women’s card at Madison Square Garden. With Cherneka Johnson stepping in to face Metcalf, the stage is set for an unforgettable night of boxing. As the fighters prepare to make history, fans can expect an action-packed evening of world-class boxing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Shurretta Metcalf’s new opponent?
A: Shurretta Metcalf’s new opponent is Cherneka Johnson, the WBA bantamweight world champion.
Q: Why did Dina Thorslund withdraw from the fight?
A: Dina Thorslund withdrew from the fight due to a recently discovered pregnancy.
Q: What titles are on the line in the Metcalf-Johnson fight?
A: The vacant unified belts, Johnson’s WBA title, and Metcalf’s IBF bantamweight title are all on the line in the fight.
Q: Where and when will the fight take place?
A: The fight will take place on Friday, July 11 at Madison Square Garden.
