Has Dina Thorslund Done All She Can Do at Bantamweight?
In yet another display of dominance, unified women’s bantamweight champion Dina Thorslund (21-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended her titles with an eighth-round stoppage over Mary Romero. However, with where things stand, should she stay at 118 or contemplate a move up to 122?
Fighting in her backyard at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark, Thorslund was brilliant. Romero was shooting for the moon with power shots in the opening round, but the defending champion avoided the shots with ease, then landed with sharp counters of her own.
As the rounds persisted, Thorslund kept landing while her challenger started to fade. In the last minute of round eight, Thorslund connected with a beautiful right uppercut that caused Romero to turn her back. With the challenger in clear distress, the referee had seen enough, and the fight was over.
WHERE DOES SHE GO FROM HERE?
Thorslund became the unified champion with a unanimous decision win over Yulihan Luna in September 2023. At this point in her career, the pride of Denmark has established herself as one of the elite women’s fighters in boxing.
The unified champion wants to be undisputed at 118. There were rumors of a possible fight between Thorslund and reigning WBA titleholder Nina Hughes. But that fight has yet to get made.
If Thorslund can’t lure any of the other bantamweight champions into a fight, she may have to move back up to junior featherweight where she reigned as the WBO champion from August 2018 to June 2021. An option for Thorslund at 122 could be a fight with the reigning WBA junior featherweight champion, Erika Cruz, who won the title with a decision victory over Mayerlin Rivas in November 2023.
Thorslund wants to go down as one of the great fighters of her era. Currently at her physical peak, it’s going to be interesting to see what the future holds for her.
