Elif Turhan Indicators Matchroom Deal And Units First IBF Defence In Newcastle

Elif Nur Turhan has extended her agreement with Matchroom Boxing and confirmed the first defence of her IBF World Lightweight Title later this month, marking an early and important step in her 2026 schedule. The defence is set for Saturday, January 31 in Newcastle and will be streaming live on DAZN.

Elif Nur Turhan secured the IBF title in December with a fifth-round stoppage of Beatriz Ferreira in Monte-Carlo, a result that followed knockout wins over Shauna Browne and Rima Ayadi earlier in the year. Those results closed a productive 2025 and established her position near the top of the lightweight division with a record of 12 wins and eight stoppages.

First defence sets direction for 2026

Turhan’s title defence will come against Taylah Gentzen at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. The contest forms part of an undercard headlined by Bakhram Murtazaliev defending his IBF super welterweight title against local challenger Josh Kelly.

The fight offers Turhan immediate activity after winning the belt and provides clarity around her next phase as champion. While Gentzen arrives with less international profile, the bout gives Turhan a defined task and a chance to begin her title run in front of a UK crowd.

Matchroom plans and a busy Newcastle card

Eddie Hearn confirmed the new multi-fight agreement and outlined Matchroom’s intentions following Turhan’s title win.

“Elif is the hardest female puncher, pound-for-pound, no question,” said Hearn. “I’m thrilled to have signed Elif to a new deal with Matchroom because there are many huge nights waiting for her.”

Hearn added that a future fight with Caroline Dubois would be of interest but stressed that Turhan’s focus remains on her January defence.

The Newcastle card also includes Josh Padley challenging Jaouad Belmehdi for the vacant EBU super featherweight title, further professional outings for Leo Atang and Brad Casey, and the professional debut of local amateur standout Kiaran MacDonald. A Northern Area lightweight title fight between unbeaten rivals Josh Blenkiron and Robbie Colman rounds out a schedule built around regional involvement and development.

For Turhan, the immediate objective is straightforward. A successful first defence would stabilise her position as champion and allow longer-term plans to develop naturally, without rushing past the work required to sustain a world title run.

Tom Galm has covered the global boxing scene since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, business trends, and fighter psychology.

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