Elif Nur Turhan to defend IBF lightweight title against Alycia Baumgardner on November 8

Elif Nur Turhan will defend her IBF lightweight title against Alycia Baumgardner on November 8 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, Most Valuable Promotions has announced.

Baumgardner, the unified WBO, WBA and IBF super-featherweight champion, will move up to lightweight for the headline bout of MVPW-07, which is due to be broadcast on ESPN and the ESPN App. The fight is scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds, with Baumgardner attempting to become a two-weight world champion and Turhan making the third defence of her title.

Turhan, who is unbeaten at 14-0, won the IBF belt by stopping Beatriz Ferreira in December 2025 and has since defended it against Taylah Gentzen and Gabriella Tellez. The Turkey fighter recently joined MVP as part of the promotional company’s strategic alliance with Matchroom Boxing, putting her on the same roster as other lightweight titleholders including Caroline Dubois and Stephani Han.

Baumgardner’s move to 135lbs places her directly into a division in which Dubois holds the WBC and WBO titles, although no unification fight has been announced. Dubois has called for a fight with Baumgardner and is scheduled to defend her lightweight titles against Amelia Moore on August 29 in Birmingham.

“Alycia is a boxer who steps into the ring determined to win, never even entertaining the possibility of defeat; I know I am proud to be representing Turkiye on such a major international stage as I face an opponent who steps into the ring solely for victory,” Turhan 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.”

Baumgardner said: “When I set my mind to something, I see it through, and 135 will be no different. Sunday, November 8 is a superfight—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. To everyone in Dallas-Fort Worth and Arlington, this is my backyard, and I want you there with me. Come out to College Park Center, be part of the moment, and watch me make history.”

The card will also feature Tiara Brown defending her WBC featherweight title against Ellie Scotney, the former undisputed super-bantamweight champion, who is moving up to 126lbs. Brown is unbeaten at 21-0, while Scotney is 12-0 and is seeking a world title in a second division.

Skye Nicolson’s WBC super-bantamweight title defence against Miyo Yoshida has been moved to the November 8 show after Nicolson withdrew from their scheduled August 29 bout because of injury. Nicolson said: “I’m excited to announce we have a new date locked in. Having to withdraw due to injury was incredibly frustrating, especially after everything that went into preparing for this fight, but unfortunately these things happen in elite sport. The focus now is completely on moving forward and taking on Miyo Yoshida in what I know will be a great fight.”

Ramla Ali will face unbeaten Mikiah Kreps for the vacant WBO and IBF super-bantamweight titles in the fourth world title fight on the bill. Ali and Kreps have previously sparred together, with Ali saying: “Mikiah and I have sparred probably a hundred rounds together. I have a lot of respect for her, and I know her journey in boxing hasn’t been easy either.”

Turhan, Baumgardner, Brown and Scotney are scheduled to appear at a launch press conference on Thursday at bp pulse LIVE arena in Birmingham, ahead of the MVPW-06 fight week press conference.