Alycia Baumgardner Fights an Unbeaten Puncher Next in 135-Pound Step-Up

Alycia Baumgardner (18-1, 7 KOs) is moving to lightweight to challenge Elif Nur Turhan (14-0, 8 KOs) for her IBF lightweight world championship at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, November 8.

The 32-year-old Baumgardner previously unified the WBC, WBO and IBF world titles at super featherweight, beating Terri Harper, Mikaela Mayer and Christina Linardatou along the way.

Baumgardner signed with Most Valuable Promotions in 2025. The fight with Baumgardner will also be Turhan’s first bout since signing with MVP.

“When I set my mind to something, I see it through, and 135 will be no different,” Baumgardner said. “November 8 is … the beginning of my next chapter.”

Turhan won the IBF lightweight title when she stopped Beatriz Ferreira in the fifth round. She has since defended the belt with a split-decision win over Taylah Gentzen and a unanimous-decision victory over Gabriela Tellez.

“Alycia is a boxer who steps into the ring determined to win, never even entertaining the possibility of defeat,” Turhan said. “I do not want to lose, either … everything is left on the line. Two warriors, one fight, and only one winner.”

The Turhan vs. Baumgardner bout is one of four world title fights on November 8. The card also features Tiara Brown against Ellie Scotney for the WBC featherweight world title, Skye Nicolson vs. Miyo Yoshida for the WBC super bantamweight championship, and Ramla Ali against Mikiah Kreps for the vacant WBO and IBF super bantamweight titles.