Johnson Defends Undisputed Title Against Thorslund

Cherneka Johnson defends her undisputed women's bantamweight titles against Dina Thorslund on Saturday in Orlando, headlining a weekend that also features Aaron McKenna's shot at the vacant IBF middleweight belt and a UK rematch between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson.

The Johnson-Thorslund clash carries unusual backstory. Thorslund held the WBO and WBC straps and had a unification bout lined up for the IBF title when pregnancy forced her withdrawal, according to Bad Left Hook. Johnson stepped in for that IBF unification and also claimed the WBC and WBO belts Thorslund vacated. Thorslund lost the pregnancy prematurely but returned with a near-unanimous decision over Almudena Alvarez in January. Now she fights for the titles she never lost in the ring. The main card airs on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET, with prelims starting at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

McKenna Fights For IBF Middleweight Belt In Dublin

McKenna headlines Saturday afternoon on Paramount+ against Etinosa Oliha for the vacant IBF middleweight title in Dublin. The 25-year-old stepped up with a wide decision over Liam Smith in April 2025 and returns for his first outing since. Oliha fights outside Italy and Germany for the first time as a pro after maneuvering into IBF mandatory position with low-risk matchmaking in Europe. The undercard includes undefeated 25-year-old Callum Walsh against 35-year-old Tyler Denny, who has one knockout in 28 pro fights.

Williamson and Simpson run it back in Leeds on DAZN at 2 p.m. ET after Williamson rallied from behind in December to drop Simpson four times and stop him. The show marks the first BoxxXxXXXxXXXxxxXxer promotion on DAZN. On the Johnson-Thorslund undercard, Desley Robinson defends her unified middleweight belts against Tamm Thibeault, with heavyweight Dainier Pero also featured.

Friday night brings Red Owl Boxing's BoxFest XIX from El Paso on DAZN at 8 p.m. ET, with Emanuel Moreno facing Guillermo Gutierrez in the main event.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Johnson-Thorslund, Williamson-Simpson 2, Aaron McKenna, and more: Boxing schedule and previews for August 7-8, 2026