Nyika v Masson | Saturday August 8 from 5pm AEST | One of the biggest nights in New Zealand boxing in recent years is coming to Auckland. Headlined by an official IBF Cruiserweight World Title Eliminator at Auckland\u2019s Eventfinda Stadium on Saturday 8 August 2026. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n While Johnson stressed there was no personal animosity from her end, she believes the former champ is carrying extra motivation after vacating her world titles following her pregnancy last year \u2013 and then missing out on what she felt should have been a direct route back to the undisputed crown.<\/p>\n \u201cMost definitely,\u201d Johnson said when asked if she was expecting fireworks.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s got a chip on her shoulder with me and, look, that\u2019s cool with me.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care.<\/p>\n \u201cIf anything, that\u2019ll probably work to my advantage because I feel like people who hold on to negative emotions and negative energy… it\u2019s a little bit of a drainer.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked why she believed Thorslund was carrying that chip on her shoulder, Johnson pointed to Thorslund\u2019s wait for a shot at reclaiming the titles she never lost in the ring.<\/p>\n \u201cI think maybe she wanted me to be her first fight back as her comeback,\u201d Johnson explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had already had a fight lined up, so she sort of had to wait a little bit longer than she would\u2019ve liked.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s not my problem. She\u2019s getting a shot now.\u201d<\/p>\n Cherneka Johnson and Dina ThorslundSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n Thorslund has made little secret of those feelings.<\/p>\n After the fight was announced last month, the Dane wrote on social media: \u201cShe chose to fight someone else instead of giving me the opportunity I had earned. That was the biggest mistake she could have made.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite those comments, the Queenslander insists the pair have never taken their rivalry offline.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u2019s been said [directly],\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had a face-off. We had a face-off the other day, actually \u2013 first time face to face. First time I\u2019ve even felt her energy or anything like that.<\/p>\n \u201cBut yeah, no words have been said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know she\u2019s had a few digs at me on her socials.\u201d<\/p>\n But if Thorslund believes reclaiming the belts will be straightforward, Johnson says she\u2019s in for a big shock.<\/p>\n For one thing, \u2018Sugar Neekz\u2019 has grown rather attached to carrying all four belts around the world.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are heavy,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cI think all together, all four belts are like 15kg!\u201d<\/p>\n She also believes she has the game plan to beat one of the world\u2019s best fighters. <\/p>\n \u201cI feel like every fighter has weak spots and I have a very good team around me,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do a lot of study and have got a really good game plan coming into fight night.<\/p>\n \u201cI do know I\u2019m going to be ready for whatever she brings.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether she wants to have a scrap. Whether she wants to box. <\/p>\n \u201cI believe that I can combat all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE BOXING NEWS:![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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\u2018They aren\u2019t me\u2019: Aussie\u2019s ominous warning for 130kg US monster who went viral with Jake Paul<\/a><\/p>\n