Alycia Baumgardner is preparing to step up to a higher weight class for a showdown with the unbeaten Elif Nur Turhan, contesting Turhan's IBF lightweight crown on November 8. This bold move not only raises the stakes for Baumgardner herself but also brings the much‑anticipated blockbuster bout with Caroline Dubois a tangible step closer. Currently holding the unified WBO, WBA and IBF super‑featherweight titles, Baumgardner will add five pounds to her fighting weight, moving from the 130‑pound limit of super featherweight to the 135‑pound lightweight division.
The fight will headline the MVPW‑07 event, which will take place at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. "When I set my mind to something, I see it through, and 135 will be no different," Baumgardner declared. "This is a super fight, the kind of fight boxing deserves, and the beginning of my next chapter.
I know what it takes to become undisputed. I've done it before, and I'll do it again." Turhan, who entered the bout with an unblemished record, responded with confidence: "Alycia is a boxer who steps into the ring determined to win, never even entertaining the possibility of defeat. I know I am facing an opponent who steps into the ring solely for victory.
I do not want to lose either. As two boxers sharing a 'win at all costs' mentality, we guarantee a fierce, relentless battle where everything is left on the line. Two warriors, one fight and only one winner." A victory for Baumgardner would make her a two‑weight world champion, placing her in the same weight class as Caroline Dubois, who currently holds the WBC and WBO lightweight belts.
Such a development would set the stage for a unification clash that could bring both fighters within a single win of achieving undisputed status. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 continues to fill with marquee events, and fans can now stream many of these fights contract‑free via platforms like NOW. The Toe2Toe podcast offers weekly analysis, while the sport's most electrifying moments are compiled in highlight reels across social media. At 32 years old, Baumgardner will be ringside for Dubois' upcoming bout against Amelia Moore, scheduled for Saturday on Sky Sports.
Since December, Dubois has been vocal in calling out Baumgardner, a dialogue that intensified after Dubois unified the lightweight division by defeating Terri Harper in April. Despite her unified champion status, Baumgardner has maintained that Dubois has yet to prove herself at a level that would merit a direct confrontation.
Should Baumgardner hand Turhan her first professional loss, the pathway to a high‑profile unification fight with Dubois becomes almost inevitable. Such a contest would likely decide the final piece of the undisputed puzzle, with the winner moving within a single victory of holding all major belts in the lightweight division.
The co‑main event on November 8 will feature England's Ellie Scotney taking on undefeated Tiara Brown over ten rounds for the WBC featherweight title. Scotney, a former undisputed super‑bantamweight champion, will move up to 126 pounds in pursuit of becoming a two‑weight world champion herself.
"MVPW‑07 is one of the biggest championship events in boxing history, with four back‑to‑back world title fights, bringing together eight elite fighters from around the world with belts at stake in every match‑up," said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co‑founders of Most Valuable Promotions. The card promises a rare concentration of championship stakes, making it a must‑watch for enthusiasts. In addition to the headline bout, fans can tune in this Saturday for the Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron clash, with Caroline Dubois also slated to appear, all broadcast live on Sky Sports. For those without a traditional cable subscription, streaming options are available without contractual obligations, ensuring broader access to the sport's biggest moments.
Overall, Baumgardner's decision to move up in weight and challenge Turhan signals both ambition and strategic positioning. By potentially adding a lightweight title to her résumé, she not only expands her legacy but also accelerates the timeline for a dream unification with Dubois.
The November 8 event in Arlington thus serves as a pivotal crossroads, where the outcomes could reshape the lightweight division and set the stage for one of the most compelling narratives in modern boxing.