
Undefeated IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan, who holds a 14-0 record with 8 KOs, has signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
Elif Nur Turhan, the undefeated IBF lightweight champion boasting a 14-0 professional record with 8 knockouts, officially joined Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) on August 12, 2026. The 31-year-old Turkish athlete secured her world title in December via a fifth-round knockout of Olympic gold medalist Beatriz Ferreira during a high-profile event in Monaco. This acquisition represents the second instance of a fighter moving from Matchroom Boxing to the MVP stable under a newly established strategic alliance, following the path previously taken by Skye Nicolson.
Key details
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP, confirmed that the signing makes Turhan the first Turkish boxer to represent the organization. Known by the moniker "The Golden Turkish Warrior," she enters a roster that already includes unified WBO and WBC lightweight titleholder Caroline Dubois and WBA champion Stephani Han. The promotional agreement is structured as a collaborative effort between MVP and Matchroom, aimed at facilitating major unification bouts within the 135-pound weight class.
Turhan’s victory over Ferreira ended the Brazilian’s unbeaten streak and established the Turkish fighter as a primary force in the division. The IBF champion noted that joining forces with the two largest promotional entities in the sport will provide the necessary platform to elevate women’s boxing to unprecedented global heights. Her aggressive, pressure-oriented style has been cited by MVP leadership as a key factor in the decision to bring her into the fold, with plans to schedule her next title defense in the coming months.
The partnership between Jake Paul’s firm and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom signifies a shift in how elite female champions are managed, prioritizing cross-promotional cooperation to ensure the best matchups occur. Turhan expressed that this professional transition allows her to focus on bringing maximum energy to the ring while the combined resources of both companies handle her commercial growth. By securing three of the major belts under one promotional umbrella, MVP now controls the trajectory of the lightweight division’s undisputed path.
Latest developments
James Regan reported the official announcement at 08:00 AM ET, highlighting that the deal is designed to transform Turhan into a household name beyond her native Turkey. The champion’s 57% knockout ratio stands as one of the highest in the current lightweight landscape, a statistic that Bidarian believes will draw significant viewership to her upcoming appearances. As part of the MVPW initiative, the promotion aims to solidify its status as the premier destination for world-class female combatants.
Strategic alignment between these boxing giants ensures that Turhan will not face the typical hurdles associated with mandatory defenses against rival-promoted athletes. Instead, the framework allows for immediate negotiations for high-stakes clashes against Dubois or Han. Turhan’s arrival marks a significant expansion of MVP’s international footprint, tapping into the growing Turkish sports market while bolstering their championship pedigree. The fighter remains committed to maintaining her perfect record as she prepares for the next phase of her career under this dual-promotional guidance.
Every aspect of Turhan’s career, from training camp logistics to global broadcasting rights, will now be managed through this joint venture. The IBF titleholder emphasized that the synergy between MVP and Matchroom represents a new era for the sport, where athlete development takes precedence over promotional rivalries. With the 135-pound landscape now centered around this specific group of champions, the boxing world awaits the announcement of a definitive tournament or series of bouts to crown an undisputed queen of the lightweights.
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