Women’s IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan will begin her 2026 campaign with her first world title defense on January 31, when she faces Australia’s Taylah Gentzen in Newcastle, England.
The bout will take place on the undercard of the junior middleweight world title fight between Bakhram Murtazaliev and Josh Kelly, keeping Nur Turhan active less than a month after capturing the IBF belt. Signed with Matchroom Boxing, the unbeaten champion enters the defense with a record of 12-0 (8 KOs).
Nur Turhan enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, winning all three of her bouts by knockout. Her rise peaked in December, when she stopped Beatriz Ferreira in the eighth round in Monaco to claim the IBF lightweight title.
Her momentum has already been reflected in year-end recognition, with Nur Turhan finishing 2025 ranked No. 10 among ESPN’s top women’s boxers and breaking into the outlet’s pound-for-pound list for the first time.
Read more about Murtazaliev vs. Kelly card here.
Image Credit: Matchroom