Alycia Baumgardner is preparing to step up a weight class and take on unbeaten contender Elif Nur Turhan for the IBF lightweight championship on November 8, a move that brings the much‑anticipated showdown with Caroline Dubois one step closer to reality. Baumgardner, who currently holds the unified WBO, WBA and IBF titles at super featherweight, will add five pounds to her frame and fight at the 135‑pound limit in the main event of MVPW‑07, staged at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
The bout will be billed as a marquee attraction, with both fighters eager to prove they belong among the sport’s elite. "When I set my mind to something, I see it through, and 135 will be no different," Baumgardner declared in a pre‑fight 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." Turhan responded with equal confidence, emphasizing her relentless approach. "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 not only secure a second world title in a new division, it would also place her in the same weight class as Dubois, who currently holds the WBC and WBO lightweight belts.
The prospect of a unification bout between the two has been a recurring theme in boxing circles throughout 2026, and a win over Turhan would likely accelerate that matchup. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is packed with high‑profile events, and fans can stream many of them contract‑free through platforms like NOW.
The Toe2Toe podcast continues to deliver weekly analysis, while highlight reels and fight clips circulate across social media, keeping the sport in constant conversation. At 32 years old, Baumgardner will be ringside for Dubois' upcoming clash with Amelia Moore on Saturday, a fight that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Dubois has been vocal since December, repeatedly calling out Baumgardner and intensifying the rivalry after she unified the lightweight division by defeating Terri Harper in April.
Despite her status as a unified champion, Baumgardner has maintained that Dubois has not yet reached the level required for a bout between them. She has hinted that she wants to prove herself at lightweight before entertaining a fight with the British star.
Nevertheless, a first‑career loss for Turhan would clear the path for a blockbuster unification showdown, with the winner moving within a single victory of becoming the undisputed champion of the division. The co‑main event on November 8 will feature England’s Ellie Scotney taking on unbeaten Tiara Brown over ten rounds for the WBC featherweight title. Scotney, a former undisputed super bantamweight champion, will move up to 126 pounds in an effort to become a two‑weight world champion, mirroring Baumgardner’s own cross‑division ambitions.
"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. Their statement underscores the magnitude of the card, which promises to deliver historic moments and potentially reshape the lightweight landscape. Fans can also look forward to the upcoming fight between Mikaela Mayer and Chantelle Cameron, scheduled for this Saturday, with Caroline Dubois also featured on the same broadcast. The event will be available live on Sky Sports, and viewers have the option to stream the action without a long‑term contract, ensuring easy access to the sport’s biggest fights.
In summary, Baumgardner’s decision to ascend to lightweight and challenge Turhan is a calculated risk that could pay huge dividends. A win would cement her status as a two‑division world champion, set the stage for a lucrative and highly anticipated unification bout with Dubois, and further solidify her legacy as one of the most versatile and determined fighters of her generation. The November 8 showdown at College Park Center promises to be a defining night for both athletes and a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga of lightweight boxing in 2026.