Alycia Baumgardner is preparing to step up a weight class for a pivotal bout against unbeaten contender Elif Nur Turhan, with the IBF lightweight championship on the line on November 8. The fight, scheduled as the main attraction of the MVPW‑07 card at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, marks a significant strategic move for Baumgardner, who will leave the super‑featherweight division (130 pounds) behind and contest at 135 pounds. This decision not only tests her ability to dominate a higher weight class but also brings her one step closer to a potentially historic clash with British star Caroline Dubois, who currently holds the WBC and WBO lightweight belts. Baumgardner enters the ring as the unified WBO, WBA and IBF champion at super featherweight, having already proven her capacity to hold multiple titles simultaneously.
"When I set my mind to something, I see it through, and 135 will be no different," she declared in a recent interview. "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." Her confidence reflects a career built on relentless work ethic and a willingness to chase legacy rather than settle for comfort. Turhan, who remains undefeated and has quickly risen through the lightweight ranks, responded with equal determination. "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," Turhan said. "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." Both athletes have framed the encounter as a clash of wills, promising fans a bout where aggression, skill, and heart will be on full display.
A victory for Baumgardner would add a second weight‑class world title to her résumé, placing her in the same division as Dubois and setting the stage for a unification showdown that could decide the undisputed lightweight champion. Dubois, who captured the WBC and WBO belts after a decisive win over Terri Harper in April, has been vocal about wanting a fight with Baumgardner. Since December, Dubois has repeatedly called out the American champion, a challenge that has only intensified after her own unification success.
Despite the mutual interest, Baumgardner has hinted that she does not yet view Dubois as a worthy opponent for a title bout, suggesting that the British fighter still needs to prove herself at the highest level. "I respect Caroline, but I think she still has work to do before we meet in the ring," Baumgardner noted in a recent press conference.
Nonetheless, if Baumgardner can hand Turhan her first professional loss, the logical next step for both women would be a high‑profile unification match with Dubois. Such a fight would likely be the final piece needed for either boxer to claim the coveted undisputed status, a rarity in modern boxing. The November 8 card will also feature a co‑main event that pits England's Ellie Scotney against the unbeaten Tiara Brown in a ten‑round contest for the WBC featherweight title. Scotney, a former undisputed super bantamweight champion, will move up to 126 pounds with the aim of becoming a two‑weight world champion, mirroring Baumgardner's own cross‑division ambitions.
Co‑founders of Most Valuable Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, have billed MVPW‑07 as "one of the biggest championship events in boxing history," emphasizing that the evening will showcase four consecutive world title fights, involving eight elite athletes from across the globe, each with a belt at stake. The promotion's confidence underscores the growing appetite for women's boxing and the marketability of athletes who are willing to challenge themselves across weight classes. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, where the network will also broadcast the upcoming Dubois versus Amelia Moore clash. In addition, streaming options without contractual commitments are available through platforms like NOW, allowing viewers to watch the fights without a long‑term subscription.
Looking ahead to 2026, boxing analysts are already mapping out the calendar of marquee events, and the Baumgardner‑Turhan bout is seen as a cornerstone of that schedule. The fight not only serves as a stepping stone for Baumgardner's lightweight aspirations but also adds depth to the narrative of women's boxing, showcasing athletes who are unafraid to test themselves against bigger, stronger opponents in pursuit of greatness. In summary, the upcoming showdown in Arlington represents more than just a title defense; it is a strategic move by Baumgardner to broaden her legacy, a test of Turhan's unbeaten aura, and a potential catalyst for a blockbuster unification fight with Caroline Dubois. With both combatants promising an all‑out war, the boxing world can expect a thrilling contest that may reshape the lightweight division and set the tone for the sport's biggest matchups in the years to come.