Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3 takes unexpected twist as fighter pulls out due to pregnancy and replacement named

The Irish Sun

5 hours ago

THE undercard of Katie Taylor's trilogy against Amanda Serrano has taken a twist after a fighter has pulled out after becoming pregnant.
The
2
Katie Taylor face Amanda Serrano for the third time in July
Credit: Getty
2
Dina Thorslund has pulled out of the card after becoming pregnant
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
It will be the
However, in a twist, Dina Thorslund has had to withdraw from her title unification bout against IBF bantamweight holder Shurretta Metcalf.
The unified bantamweight champ revealed that she is expecting her second child, while she has relinquished her WBO title.
Upon her return to the ring Thorslund may request to be designated mandatory challenger.
Read More on Katie Taylor
The 30-year-old said: '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.
'Recently I found out I was pregnant, a curve I hadn't expected, but a joyous one.
"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.
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"But I'll be back!
"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.
Katie Taylor accused of backing out of fight promise as Amanda Serrano wages war with bizarre dig
"I plan to show my child that nothing is impossible if you
work
hard enough for it.
"I hope all the boxers have a fantastic evening. I will be cheering from the sidelines, and I can only encourage the rest of the world to either take the trip to Madison Square Garden and experience the magic, or to tune in to watch history being made, live on Netflix.'
The unified title belt will
remain
on the card, however, with reigning WBA holder Cherneka Johnson taking Thorslund's place.
'
Sugar
Neeks' is a two-weight world champion, currently the WBA bantamweight world champion and the former IBF super bantamweight world champion.
She will face Metcalf in a 10-round world title showdown in her first bid to become the first ever undisputed Australian champion in the four belt era.
Johnson said: 'It's a dream come true to fight at Madison Square Garden!
'This feels like a true 'pinch me' moment, being part of an all-women's card headlined by the incredible
"Not only will I be defending my title, but I'll also become the undisputed champion!
"I'm truly looking forward to this
next
chapter—being part of Most Valuable Promotions, who are paving the way and shaping the
future
of
women
's
boxing
.
"The magnitude of this moment isn't lost on me, and I'm ready to rise to it.'