Alycia Baumgardner is preparing to ascend a weight class for a bout against unbeaten contender Elif Nur Turhan, with the IBF lightweight championship on the line on November 8. This bold step not only marks a significant shift in Baumgardner’s career but also nudges the much‑anticipated showdown with fellow British star Caroline Dubois ever closer. Currently the unified WBO, WBA and IBF champion at super featherweight, Baumgardner will add five pounds to her frame and step into the 135‑pound lightweight division for the headline fight of the MVPW‑07 card, staged at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
The move is a calculated gamble: by testing herself against a fresh opponent in a higher weight class, she hopes to cement her status as a two‑division world champion and lay the groundwork for a future clash with Dubois, who already 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 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 ambition and a willingness to chase historic milestones. Turhan, equally determined, responded with equal fervor: "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 fighters underscores the high stakes and the intensity that fans can expect. Should Baumgardner prevail, she will join Dubois as a two‑weight champion within the lightweight division, setting the stage for a unification bout that could bring her within a single victory of becoming the undisputed champion—a title that has eluded many greats in recent years. The prospect of such a match has generated buzz across the boxing community, with pundits speculating that a Baumgardner‑Dubois clash would be one of the sport’s marquee events of 2026.
The broader context of 2026 boxing is filled with anticipation. Streaming platforms such as NOW are offering contract‑free access to fights, while podcasts like Toe2Toe keep fans updated weekly. Highlights and analysis videos continue to draw new audiences, and the sport’s visibility is further amplified by major broadcasters like Sky Sports, which will air Dubois’s upcoming fight against Amelia Moore on Saturday. Dubois, who has been vocally challenging Baumgardner since December, intensified her calls after unifying the division by defeating Terri Harper in April.
Despite Dubois’s rising profile, Baumgardner has maintained that the British fighter has yet to demonstrate the caliber required for a direct matchup, a stance that adds a layer of intrigue to any eventual encounter. The November 8 card also features a compelling co‑main event: England’s Ellie Scotney will face unbeaten Tiara Brown over ten rounds for the WBC featherweight world 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 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," highlighting the unprecedented concentration of four back‑to‑back world title fights on a single night. Eight elite athletes from across the globe will compete, each with a belt at stake, promising a night of high‑octane action that could reshape the lightweight landscape. In addition to the headline bout, fans can look forward to a stacked undercard that includes Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron, with Caroline Dubois also appearing on the same broadcast.
The event will be available live on Sky Sports, and viewers have the option to stream the fights without a long‑term contract, expanding accessibility for a global audience. Overall, Baumgardner’s decision to move up to lightweight and challenge Turhan represents a strategic pivot aimed at both personal legacy and the broader narrative of women’s boxing.
By securing the IBF lightweight crown, she would not only add another world title to her résumé but also position herself as the natural opponent for Dubois, setting the stage for a potential unification that could crown the first undisputed female lightweight champion in years. The November 8 showdown, therefore, is more than a single title defense; it is a pivotal chapter in a larger saga that could define the sport’s direction for the remainder of the decade.