Elif Nur Turhan has signed a new multi-fight extension with Matchroom Boxing and will make the first defence of her IBF World Lightweight Title on Saturday, January 31 in Newcastle – live on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.

The ‘Golden Turk’ Turhan (12-0, 8 KOs) last month solidified her reputation as one of the most dangerous female fighters on the planet when she captured the crown in Monte-Carlo with a fifth round demolition job over Brazil’s then unbeaten Olympic hero Beatriz Ferreira. 

It completed an incredible 2025 for the 30-year-old having previously knocked out both Shauna Browne and Rima Ayadi.

Now Turhan will kickstart her 2026 campaign with the first defence of her World Title at the end of this month against Australia’s Taylah Gentzen at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on an exciting undercard headlined by Bakhram Murtazaliev’s IBF Super Welterweight World Championship clash with the North-East’s own, Josh Kelly. 

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn is thrilled to see Turhan put pen to paper on fresh terms as he plots her path to winning more titles and eventually becoming the undisputed ruler of the 135lb division. 

“Elif is the hardest female puncher, pound-for-pound, no question – in fact, she is is one of the fiercest fighters on the planet today,” said Hearn.

“I’m thrilled to have signed Elif to a new deal with Matchroom because there are many huge nights waiting for her. I think a fight with WBC World Champion, Caroline Dubois, is one of the best bouts you can make in boxing. 

“First, Elif must take care of business against Taylah Gentzen. I’m expecting another knockout performance to light up what is a great night of boxing on January 31 with a brilliant Murtazaliev-Kelly undercard in Newcastle before we switch across the pond to The Ring 6 in New York City for Teofimo-Shakur – all live and exclusive to watch on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.”

Josh Padley, meanwhile, challenges Jaouad Belmehdi for the vacant EBU Super Featherweight Championship in Newcastle. 

Padley said: “We’re off to a flying start to the new year. I am really looking forward to this one, especially with it being a major title on the road back to world title contention. A big win here puts me in the picture for the big fights.”

Heavyweight wonderkid Leo Atang looks ahead to his fifth professional contest in Newcastle, whilst stablemate and Cruiserweight prospect Brad Casey bids to maintain his winning streak to life in the pro ranks.

Commonwealth Games silver medalist amateur standout and North-East native Kiaran MacDonald makes his long-awaited professional debut. Plus, rising hometown Super Bantamweight fan favourite Lee Rogers will be out to stretch his record to 7-0.

And don’t blink as we look forward to a pulsating North-East derby between Newcastle’s unbeaten Josh Blenkiron and Jarrow’s undefeated Robbie Colman for the Northern Area Lightweight title. 

For the latest ticket news and updates on this event, head to matchroomboxing.com.

Shabaz Masoud won a 10-round unanimous decision over Peter McGrail in a super bantamweight bout in Monte Carlo.

Maoud, 121.9 lbs of Stoke-on-Trent, ENG won by scores of 116-111, 115-112 and 114-113 and is now 15-0. McGrail, 121.7 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 12-2.

Turhan Stops Ferreira in 5 To Win IBF Lightweight Title

Elif Nur Turhan stopped Beatriz Ferreira in round five to win the IBF Lightweight title.

In round one, Turhan dropped Ferreita with a hard right right. Seconds later, another big right dropped Ferreira for a second time. In round five Turhan landed a booming right that sent Ferreira into the corner that set off a 14 punch flurry where several flush head shots that put Ferreira down. Ferreira got to her feet but the fight was stopped at 1:08.

Turhan, 134.3 lbs of Istanbul, TUR is 12-0 with eight knockouts. Ferreira, 134.6 lbs of Salvador, BRA is 8-1.

Fisher Stops Balaz in 4

Johnny Fisher stopped previously undefeated Ivan Balaz in round four of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round two, Fisher was docked a point for a low blow. In round four, Fisher scored a knockdown when he landed a left to the head. Fisher scored a second knockdown with another right. Seconds later, Fisher ended the fight with a hard right that put Balaz down to a knee and the fight was stopped at 1:19.

Fisher, 242.1 lbs of Romford, ENG is 14-1 with 12 knockouts. Balaz of Prague, CZE us 7-1.

Walker Stops McCormack in 12th

Conah Walker stopped previously undefeated Pat McCormack in the 12th and final round of their welterweight bout.

In round 12, McCormack was bleeding from around his left eye. Later in the round, Walker landed an unrelenting flurry that put McCormack through the ropes. McCormack tried to beat the count, but was unable at 2:16.

Walker, 146.9 lbs of Wolverhampton, ENG is 17-3-1 with eight knockouts. McCormack, 147 lbs of Wasminson, ENG is 8-1.

Sean McComb stopped previously undefeated Hugo Micallef in round eight of their 10-round juniorr welterweight bout.

In round three, McComb dropped Micallef with a straight left to the head.

In round six, McComb dropped Micallef with a left to the body. In round eight, McComb landed another left on the ropes that put Micallef down and the fight was stopped at 2:35.

McComb, 139.7 lbs of Belfast, NI is 21-2 with six knockouts. Micallef, 138.9 lbs of Monte Carlo, MON is 11-1.

Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan (11-0, 7 KOs) captured the WBA interim super featherweight title with a sixth-round stoppage of France’s Rima Ayadi (11-1, 1 KO) on Thursday night, August 28, at the Théâtre du Casino Barrière in Enghien-les-Bains, just outside Paris. The victory marks the first world title belt of Turhan’s professional career, keeping her unbeaten and extending her knockout streak to three.

From the opening bell, Turhan made her intentions clear. Applying steady pressure and digging to the body, she wore down Ayadi, who tried to keep her at bay with the jab but couldn’t halt the Turkish fighter’s advance. The hometown favorite found no answers as the visitor grew stronger with each passing round.

In the sixth, Turhan broke through with a sharp combination that left Ayadi defenseless. The referee stepped in immediately, waving it off to award Turhan the TKO. It was her second straight victory over an undefeated opponent and the most significant triumph of her career so far.

Nicknamed “The Golden Turk”, Turhan has fought between 130 and 140 pounds since turning pro in 2022, her punching power standing out in a division where knockouts are rare.

For Ayadi, it was the bitter taste of her first professional defeat. At 36, she had built a spotless record, but on this night, she couldn’t withstand Turhan’s firepower.

Heavy-handed Lightweight contender Elif Nur Turhan has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing following her impressive knockout win over Shauna Browne in Belfast last month.
 
The 29-year-old from Istanbul has won all ten of her fights since turning professional back in May 2022, with six of those wins coming inside the distance, and the former WBC International and WBA Gold World Champion hopes to further cement herself as one of the most exciting female fighters on the planet after teaming up with Matchroom.
 
Managed by Ertan Sen of Box Promotion Germany, Turhan (10-0, 6 KOs) introduced herself on the big stage by wiping out Ireland’s Browne with a monster left hook in the opening round of their ten-round clash on the undercard of Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan at the SSE Arena Belfast.
 
“I’m incredibly excited to be teaming up with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing,” said Turhan. “I have worked so hard to get myself into this position and now with the backing of Matchroom and my manager Ertan Sen, I can push on to make myself one of the most recognised fighters on the planet. I have a fan friendly style and always look to finish the show early. My aim is to win multiple World Titles and cement my legacy as one of the best fighters in the world. If you don’t want to bleed in the ring, you have to sweat in training!”
 
“I’ve never seen a harder punching female fighter than Elif Nur Turhan,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Elif brings action and vicious intentions every time she steps in the ring. Her team had been messaging me for a long time asking for just one chance – and she grabbed it with both hands by delivering one of the best knockouts I’ve seen in women’s boxing last month in Belfast. Elif took the fight against Shauna Browne on about ten days’ notice and showed us all what she is capable of. She is a huge puncher and will no doubt become one of the most exciting fighters in women’s boxing. Remember the name!”
 
“Get ready for the next chapter of Elif Nur Turhan’s brilliant career,” said Sen. “Elif gave fight fans around the world a small glimpse of what she is capable of in Belfast last month. Fans want to see action and knockouts – Elif delivers both of those in abundance. I am very happy to make this deal with Matchroom Boxing – who we both consider to be the number one promotional company in the world. Stop with dreaming, start with doing!”
 
You can follow Turhan’s journey on Instagram: elfturhann
 

Lewis Crocker was able to get a victory over Paddy Donovan via disqualification after Donovan dropped Crocker with a left hand after the bell to end right eight of their 12-round welterweight bout at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland

In round eight, Donovan was deducted a point for a headbutt. Crocker was bleeding under the right eye. Donovan then dropped Criocker with a left to the body. Very late in the round, Donovan landed a right hook after the bell that put Crocker on the canvas. Referee Marcus McDonnell disqualified Donovan.

Crocker, 146.4 lbs of Belfast is 21-0. Donovan, 146.1 lbs of Limerick, IRE is 14-1.

Richards Stops McCrory in 8

Craig Richards stopped Padraig McCrory in round eight of their 10-round light heavyweight bout.

In round eight, Richards uncorked a left to the solar plexus that put McCrory for the count at 1:58.

Richards. 174.1 lbs of London is 19-4-1 with 12 knockouts. McCrory, 174.5 lbs of Ireland is 19-2.

Walker Wins Majority Decision Over Woodstock

Kurt Walker remained undefeated with a 10-round majority decision over Leon Woodstock in a featherweight bout.

Walker, 126.5 lbs of Lisburn, IRL won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 12-0. Woodstock, 126 lbs of of Leicester, ENG is 16-4.,

Ward Stops McCarthy in 6

Steven Ward stopped Tommy McCarthy in round six of their 10-round cruiserweight fight.

At the end of round two, Ward dropped McCarrthy with a left hook at the bell.

In round six, Ward dropped McCarthy with a right over the top. McCarthy was hurt badly and Ward went to work with a vicious flurry of punches. The corner of McCarthy was on the apron, but the referee did not see it. After a few more unanswered punches, the referee stopped the bout at 1:17.

Ward, 199.5 lbs of West Normandy, IRL is 15-3 with five knockouts. McCarthy, 199.3 lbs of Belfast is 21-7.

Ruadhan Farrell won a eight-round decision over Gerard Hughes in a super bantamweight bout.

Farrell, 123.4 lbs of Belfast won by a 79-73 score and is now 7-1-1. Hughes, 124.2 lbs of Valley Castle, IRL is 5-1-1.

Elif Nur Turhan shocked Shauna Brown by scoring a massive first round stoppage in a 10-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Turhan landed a massive left hook that out Brown down. She got to her feet, but was unsteady and the fight was stopped at 47 seconds.

Turhan, 134.6 lbs of Istanbul, TUR is 10-0 with six knockouts. Brown, 134.3 lbs of Ireeland is 5-1.

Jack O’Neill won a four-round unanimous decision over Mohammed Wako in a featherweight bout.

In round two, O’Neill was cut on the forehead from a headbutt.

In round three, O’Neill landed a right to the shoulder that put Wako on the canvas.

O’Neill, 124.1 lbs of Belfast, NI won by a 39-36 score and is now 4-0. Wako, 122.6 lbs of York, ENG via Ethiopia is 1-3.

Aaron Bowen won a six-round decision over Juan Cachiero in a light heavyweight bout.

Bowen, 165.1 lbs of Coventry, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 5-0. Cacheiro, 171,2 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 7-4.