Most Useful Promotions (MVP) has formally signed reigning WBA bantamweight world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson to a multi-year promotional deal and he or she’s stepping proper right into a historic highlight. Johnson (17-2, 7 KOs) will now face IBF champion Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (14-4-1, 2 KOs) in a high-stakes showdown on Friday, July 11, as a part of the Taylor vs. Serrano 3 card at Madison Sq. Backyard. The struggle will happen on the first-ever all-women’s skilled boxing occasion on the legendary venue.
Johnson replaces Denmark’s undefeated champion Dina Thorslund (23-0, 9 KOs), who was initially scheduled to fulfill Metcalf in a title unification bout. Thorslund has withdrawn from the cardboard after saying her being pregnant. In a present of assist, each the WBO and WBC granted her Champion in Recess standing, with the unified titles now formally vacant and up for grabs.
This improvement provides much more weight to Johnson vs. Metcalf, with the WBA, IBF, and the now-vacant WBO and WBC titles all on the road. The winner shall be topped the undisputed bantamweight champion, marking a historic first for the division and for girls’s boxing.
For Johnson, the upcoming bout marks her U.S. debut and a defining second in her profession. A local of New Zealand who fights out of Australia, Johnson is a two-weight world champion and appears so as to add one other chapter to her legacy on boxing’s largest stage.
“It’s a dream come true to struggle at Madison Sq. Backyard,” mentioned Johnson. “It is a ‘pinch me’ second—sharing a card with legends like Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor and combating for undisputed standing. MVP is shaping the way forward for girls’s boxing, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Metcalf, the Dallas-born IBF champion, is prepared for the problem. A veteran who’s earned each inch of her title shot, she views this struggle because the fruits of years of onerous work.
“I’m about to make historical past as the primary undisputed bantamweight champion—and I’m doing it from Dallas, Texas,” mentioned Metcalf. “Nothing’s ever been handed to me, and I wouldn’t need it every other manner. This struggle is about legacy. It’s my time.”
MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian expressed assist for Thorslund’s determination and pleasure in regards to the matchup forward.
“We’re thrilled for Dina and ship our heartfelt congratulations,” they mentioned in a joint assertion. “At MVP, household comes first, and we’ll be able to welcome her again when the time is correct. Within the meantime, we’re proud to have Cherneka Johnson be part of the roster and face Shurretta Metcalf in a bout that can make historical past.”
Thorslund additionally shared a message with followers, acknowledging the emotional weight of stepping away.
“Discovering out I used to be pregnant was sudden, however an exquisite shock,” mentioned Thorslund. “Although I’m heartbroken to overlook this second, I’ll be cheering from the sidelines. I’ll be again—with much more to struggle for.”
Taylor vs. Serrano 3 guarantees to be a landmark occasion for boxing, with 21 world title belts being contested throughout 5 bouts. Johnson vs. Metcalf could steal the present—and rewrite the report books.
