Dubois Unification Closer As Turhan Joins MVP

Turkish IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan has signed with Most Valuable Promotions, moving a unification bout with Caroline Dubois closer to reality.

Turhan, who holds a 14-0 record with eight stoppages, made the switch from Matchroom Boxing as part of a strategic alliance between the two promotions announced last month. The 31-year-old now shares a stable with Dubois, who holds the WBC and WBO titles at 135 pounds, as well as WBA champion Stephanie Han.

What Turhan's MVP Move Means For Lightweight Division

The signing positions MVP to orchestrate unification fights across three of the four major lightweight belts. "Forces have been joined. As female boxers, we will now move forward with greater strength," Turhan said, per the BBC. "I am excited for the opportunities that will come my way as I look to win more major world titles."

MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian called Turhan "one of the most exciting fighters in boxing given her immense punching power and her relentless aggressive, pressure heavy style." The BBC reported that the Matchroom-MVP partnership is designed to create crossover opportunities for female fighters on both rosters.

Dubois defends her titles against Amelia Moore on 29 August in Birmingham on an all-female card. Turhan joins Australian two-weight champion Skye Nicolson in making the move from Matchroom to MVP since the alliance was announced.

Source: bbc.co.uk