Alycia Baumgardner is preparing to step up a weight class and take on undefeated contender Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight championship on November 8. The bout, scheduled as the main attraction of the MVPW‑07 card at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, represents a pivotal move in Baumgardner’s career and brings the much‑anticipated showdown with fellow pound‑for‑pound star Caroline Dubois a step closer.
Currently the unified WBO, WBA and IBF super‑featherweight champion, Baumgardner will add five pounds to her natural fighting weight, moving from the 130‑pound division to the 135‑pound lightweight limit. The transition is not merely a numerical change; it signals her ambition to test herself against larger opponents and to cement her legacy across multiple weight classes. "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 ring with an unblemished record, responded with confidence and respect. "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," she 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." A victory for Baumgardner would not only add a second world title to her résumé but also place her in the same weight division as Caroline Dubois, who currently holds the WBC and WBO lightweight belts.
Such a scenario would set the stage for a unification clash that could decide the undisputed champion of the division, a prize that has eluded both fighters so far. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already buzzing with high‑profile match‑ups. Fans can stream contract‑free boxing via the NOW platform, tune into the weekly Toe2Toe podcast for insider analysis, and catch the best highlights on various digital outlets.
On the same night as Baumgardner‑Turhan, the co‑main event will feature England’s Ellie Scotney challenging unbeaten Tiara Brown for the WBC featherweight title over ten rounds. Scotney, a former undisputed super‑bantamweight champion, will also be moving up in weight, aiming to become a two‑division world champion at 126 pounds. The MVPW‑07 event has been billed by promoters Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul as one of the most significant championship evenings in recent boxing history. "Four back‑to‑back world title fights, eight elite fighters from around the globe, belts on the line in every bout—that’s the magnitude we’re delivering," the co‑founders of Most Valuable Promotions emphasized.
Outside the ring, the narrative surrounding Baumgardner and Dubois has intensified. Since December, Dubois has been vocal in calling out Baumgardner, a stance that grew louder after Dubois unified the lightweight division by defeating Terri Harper in April.
Baumgardner, however, has maintained that while she respects Dubois’s achievements, the British fighter has not yet reached a level that would justify a direct confrontation. "She’s a great athlete, but I need to see her prove she can handle my power and speed," Baumgardner has hinted in recent interviews.
If Baumgardner succeeds in handing Turhan her first professional loss, the logical next step for the promotion would be to set up a blockbuster unification bout with Dubois. Such a fight would likely be billed as the final piece of a puzzle, with the winner moving within a single victory of becoming the undisputed lightweight champion—a status that carries historic weight in the sport. For viewers eager to follow the action, Sky Sports will broadcast Dubois’s upcoming clash against Amelia Moore on Saturday, and the network will also carry the live feed of the Baumgardner‑Turhan showdown. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.
In addition to the headline fights, the card will showcase other compelling storylines. Mikaela Mayer will square off against Chantelle Cameron on Saturday, with Dubois also appearing on the same broadcast, providing a full evening of elite women’s boxing. The event underscores a broader trend in the sport: an increasing emphasis on women’s championship bouts, multiple weight‑class champions, and cross‑promotional match‑ups that appeal to a global audience. Overall, Baumgardner’s decision to move up to lightweight and challenge Turhan is more than a single title fight; it is a strategic maneuver that could reshape the landscape of women’s boxing in 2026.
Whether she captures the IBF belt, sets up a historic duel with Dubois, or simply adds another thrilling chapter to her career, the stakes are high and the anticipation is palpable among fans, pundits, and fellow athletes alike.