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 bold maneuver that brings the much‑talked‑about showdown with Caroline Dubois into clearer focus. Baumgardner, who currently holds the unified WBO, WBA and IBF belts at super featherweight, will add five pounds to her frame and compete at the 135‑pound limit in the main event of the MVPW‑07 card, which will be staged 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 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 that has already seen her capture multiple world titles and unify divisions, a rare achievement in modern women's boxing.
Turhan, a rising star with an unblemished record, responded in kind: "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." The mutual respect between the two athletes underscores the high stakes of the bout, which promises to be a grueling test of skill, power, and heart.
Should Baumgardner emerge victorious, she will join the ranks of two‑weight world champions and find herself in the same weight division as Caroline Dubois, who currently holds the WBC and WBO lightweight crowns. A win over Turhan would effectively set the stage for a unification clash with Dubois, a fight that could propel the winner within a single victory of becoming the undisputed champion of the division.
The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already buzzing with anticipation. Fans can stream contract‑free boxing through the NOW platform, tune into the weekly Toe2Toe podcast for insider analysis, and catch the best highlights on dedicated boxing channels.
On the same night as the Baumgardner‑Turhan showdown, the Sky Sports audience will also be treated to Dubois' bout against Amelia Moore, a match that will be broadcast live and is expected to draw significant viewership. Dubois has been vocal since December, repeatedly calling out Baumgardner and intensifying her demands after securing a unification victory over Terri Harper in April. Despite Dubois' assertive stance, Baumgardner has maintained that, while she respects Dubois' accomplishments, the British fighter has not yet demonstrated the level of competition she requires before committing to a fight.
This tension adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming events, as each fighter seeks to prove herself the superior contender. The co‑main event on November 8 will feature England's Ellie Scotney squaring off against undefeated Tiara Brown in a ten‑round battle 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 herself, mirroring Baumgardner's own multi‑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 confidence reflects the magnitude of the card, which promises to deliver high‑octane action across multiple weight classes. Beyond the immediate fights, the event serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of women's boxing.
With athletes like Baumgardner, Turhan, Dubois, and Scotney pushing the sport into new territories, the upcoming weeks could redefine the hierarchy of the lightweight and featherweight divisions. The outcomes will not only determine who holds the belts but also shape the pathways to potential undisputed status, a coveted achievement that has eluded many. Fans eager to follow the action can watch Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron this Saturday, with Caroline Dubois also slated to appear, all streamed live on Sky Sports or via a contract‑free boxing service. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, these high‑profile matchups are instrumental in attracting new audiences and solidifying boxing's place in the mainstream sports landscape.
In summary, Baumgardner's decision to move up to lightweight and challenge Turhan is more than a single title fight; it is a strategic step toward a larger, potentially historic unification bout with Dubois. The November 8 card promises a night of compelling narratives, world‑title stakes, and the kind of fierce competition that keeps boxing fans on the edge of their seats. Whether Baumgardner can add a second weight‑class crown to her résumé, and whether Dubois will finally secure the showdown she has demanded, remain the pivotal questions that will shape the sport's direction in the months to come.