Alycia Baumgardner is preparing to step up a weight class for a bout against unbeaten contender Elif Nur Turhan, with the IBF lightweight championship on the line on November 8. The fight, scheduled as the main event of MVPW‑07 at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, represents a pivotal move for Baumgardner and brings the much‑anticipated showdown with British star Caroline Dubois one step closer. Currently the unified WBO, WBA and IBF super‑featherweight champion, Baumgardner will add five pounds to her natural fighting weight and compete at the 135‑pound lightweight limit.
The decision to move up is being framed as a strategic step toward an even larger goal: a unification clash with Dubois, who holds the WBC and WBO lightweight belts. "When I set my mind to something, I see it through, and 135 will be no different," Baumgardner said 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." Turhan, who entered the ring with an unblemished record, responded with confidence of her own. "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," she declared. A victory for Baumgardner would not only secure her a second world title in a different division but also place her in the same weight class as Dubois, setting the stage for a potential unification bout that could crown an undisputed champion. The boxing community has been buzzing about the possible match‑up ever since Dubois publicly challenged Baumgardner after her April victory over Terri Harper, which completed a unification of the WBC and WBO lightweight crowns.
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 in an effort to become a two‑weight world champion herself, adding further intrigue to an already stacked evening of fights. Organisers from Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) are promoting MVPW‑07 as one of the biggest championship events in recent boxing history.
Co‑founders Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul highlighted the rarity of having four world titles on the line in a single night, with eight elite fighters from multiple continents competing for belts in every matchup. "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," they said. Beyond the immediate stakes, the fight carries broader implications for the sport's landscape in 2026. With streaming platforms offering contract‑free access to boxing events and podcasts like Toe2Toe keeping fans engaged week after week, the sport is experiencing a resurgence in accessibility and fan interaction.
Viewers can follow the action live on Sky Sports, where Dubois is also slated to appear ringside for her own upcoming bout against Amelia Moore, further intertwining the narratives of these top lightweight contenders. Baumgardner has been candid about her assessment of Dubois, stating that while Dubois is a formidable champion, she has yet to demonstrate the level of dominance Baumgardner expects before committing to a fight. Nonetheless, the prospect of a Baumgardner‑Dubois clash remains a tantalizing possibility for fans and promoters alike. Should Baumgardner succeed in handing Turhan her first professional loss, the path to a blockbuster unification bout with Dubois would become virtually inevitable, with the winner moving within a single victory of achieving undisputed status.
The event also underscores the growing trend of women’s boxing receiving prime placement on major cards, a shift that has been championed by broadcasters and promoters seeking to showcase the depth of talent across weight classes. As the sport continues to evolve, fights like Baumgardner vs. Turhan serve not only as pivotal career milestones for the athletes involved but also as key building blocks toward a future where women's boxing enjoys parity with its male counterpart in terms of visibility, prize money, and global interest.
Fans eager to watch the action can stream the fight without a long‑term contract, ensuring easy access to what promises to be a night of high‑octane competition. With the stakes high, the fighters motivated, and the broader narrative of a potential undisputed lightweight champion hanging in the balance, November 8 is shaping up to be a landmark moment in the 2026 boxing calendar.