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Eddie Hearn signs new deal with major knockout artist
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 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.”
'One of the best signings Hearn could have made'
DAZN News Senior Boxing Writer Christopher Walker
It was clear when Turhan stopped Ferreira that boxing was looking at a potential superstar and it is no surprise that Eddie Hearn has moved quickly to tie the Turkish puncher down to a long-term deal.
This is one of the best signings Hearn could have made as he now has a world champion capable of maximum damage who people will pay to watch after what she done to Ferreira.
Women's boxing has taken massive steps in recent years thanks to the superb efforts of Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, Tasha Jonas, and many others. But whilst these fighters have used skill and experience to take them to the top of the sport, Turhan has gone in another direction with brute force being her preferred method.
Boxing fans have long loved a knockout artist and that is exactly what Turhan will be promoted as she continues her rise through the sport with many fascinating fights coming up for her starting this month against Gentzen before hopefully landing one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing against Dubois.
Watch Kabayel vs. Knyba with a DAZN subscription
January starts with a heavyweight bang as Agit Kabayel takes the next steps towards a world title shot as he face Damian Knyba this Saturday, January 10, exclusively on DAZN Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.
