Alycia Baumgardner vs Elif Nur Turhan Picks, Odds, Predictions

This Saturday one of boxing’s brightest female stars will take center stage when Alycia Baumgardner takes on IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan

Most Valuable Promotions continues to make its presence felt in the boxing world, and its November 8 MVPW-07 extravaganza in Arlington, Texas, is another indication that the company isn’t afraid to put women’s boxing front and center. With four world championship fights on the program, MVP has assembled a championship card that deserves the attention of boxing fans and bettors alike.

The main event features one of the sport’s most accomplished female fighters, Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (18-1, 7 KOs), moving up five pounds to challenge undefeated IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan (14-0, 8 KOs).

For Baumgardner, this is an opportunity to add another chapter to an already impressive championship career. For Turhan, it’s a chance to establish herself as one of the biggest names in women’s boxing by defeating a proven pound-for-pound talent.

Baumgardner has made a career out of frustrating opponents with her combination of speed, athleticism, precision and punching power. Her victories over Terri Harper, Mikaela Mayer and Christina Linardatou established her credentials among the elite. She also demonstrated her championship pedigree by avenging her lone professional defeat.

Baumgardner’s Strengths: Excellent hand speed, polished counterpunching, ring intelligence and experience against world-class opposition. She has the ability to control distance, pick her spots and make opponents pay for mistakes. Her experience fighting three-minute rounds is another advantage.

Baumgardner’s Weaknesses: The move to 135 pounds presents legitimate questions. She is giving up natural size to a dangerous lightweight champion, and Turhan possesses the kind of punching power that can change a fight in an instant. Baumgardner must avoid getting drawn into prolonged exchanges.

Turhan, meanwhile, is no ordinary titleholder. The Turkish knockout artist has stopped eight of her 14 opponents and announced her arrival on the championship stage with a stunning fifth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Beatriz Ferreira. She subsequently defended her IBF championship against Taylah Gentzen and Gabriella Tellez.

Turhan’s Strengths: Natural lightweight size, physical strength, aggressive pressure and legitimate knockout power. She is an aggressive fighter who enjoys imposing herself on opponents and has demonstrated that she can hurt elite competition.

Turhan’s Weaknesses: Her aggressive approach can leave openings for a technically sophisticated counterpuncher. Against someone with Baumgardner’s speed and timing, reckless forward pressure could prove costly. She also has less experience against established championship opposition.

The betting market currently has Baumgardner around a -550 favorite, with Turhan available around +375 That’s a considerable price, particularly considering Baumgardner is moving into her opponent’s division.

The question for bettors is whether Baumgardner’s superior boxing experience and technical ability will overcome Turhan’s size and punching power.

Most Valuable Promotions has put together another intriguing championship attraction, and this is precisely the kind of matchup MVP has been delivering to boxing fans through its expanding MVPW platform.

Turhan’s power makes her dangerous, but Baumgardner’s experience, speed and ability to dictate the pace should ultimately make the difference. Look for The Bomb to box intelligently, neutralize Turhan’s aggression and capture the IBF lightweight championship by unanimous decision.