Caroline Dubois may finally get the unification fight she has sought after the emergence of a new promotional alignment. Elif Nur Turhan, the undefeated IBF lightweight world champion, has signed with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) — the company that also represents Dubois — a development that could ease previously stalled negotiations for a world-title showdown between the two fighters.
Potential unification on clearer footing
Dubois, who holds the WBC and WBO lightweight titles, has publicly expressed frustration in the past about being unable to reach terms for a unification fight with Turhan. With both fighters now under the MVP umbrella, the promotional obstacles that have dogged talks may be removed, creating a practical pathway for a fight that would unify belts and crown an undisputed figure in the division.
Turhan, 14-0 as a professional, captured the IBF world lightweight title with a stoppage of Beatriz Ferreira and has since defended the belt against Gabriella Tellez and Taylah Gentzen. Dubois remains unbeaten and is scheduled to defend her WBC and WBO titles against American Amelia Moore on the undercard of the Mikaela Mayer vs Chantelle Cameron bill at the bp pulse LIVE arena in Birmingham on 29 August, a card being shown live on Sky Sports.
"Elif Nur Turhan is an undefeated world champion, a tremendous puncher, and now the first Turkish fighter to join the MVP roster," said MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian.
Bidarian added that Turhan’s style — a pressure-heavy, aggressive approach allied to notable punching power — makes her an exciting addition to MVP’s growing women’s division, with the promoter expressing confidence it will help stage some of the sport’s most compelling match-ups.
What this means for the lightweight picture
The immediate consequence is practical: two unbeaten world champions now represented by the same promotional group reduces commercial friction and could prioritise a unification fight in scheduling and marketing plans. For Dubois, whose present obligation is the defence against Moore, the signing raises the prospect that a subsequent bout could be for all three belts — WBC, WBO and IBF — elevating the stakes beyond a typical domestic title defence.
There are wider ramifications for women’s boxing. A high-profile unification between two undefeated champions would attract attention to the division, potentially increase purses and broadcast interest, and serve as a further step in building the profile of MVPW, the promotional operation’s women’s arm.
- Caroline Dubois: Unbeaten, WBC and WBO lightweight champion; defending titles vs Amelia Moore on 29 August.
- Elif Nur Turhan: Unbeaten (14-0), IBF lightweight champion; joined Most Valuable Promotions after capturing and defending the IBF belt.
- Most Valuable Promotions: Now represents both world champions, potentially simplifying negotiations for a unification bout.
While the signing does not guarantee a fight, the commercial alignment is a significant step. Promotions often cite competing contracts, broadcast partners and timing as barriers to major fights; placing both boxers in the same stable removes many of those obstacles and allows the promoter to plan a unification as a marquee event.
| Fighter | Titles | Professional record (as reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Caroline Dubois | WBC, WBO lightweight | Unbeaten (record not specified beyond unbeaten status) |
| Elif Nur Turhan | IBF lightweight | 14-0 |
Next steps and timeline
Dubois’s next fight is already scheduled, meaning any unification would likely be planned for after 29 August. The exact timing will depend on the outcomes of scheduled defences, broadcast windows and the physical readiness of the fighters. If both champions come through their respective bouts unscathed, MVP can move to structure a unification that maximises visibility and financial return.
For supporters of British boxing, the possibility of an undisputed lightweight ruler — or at least a two-title unification in a bout hosted and promoted from a UK base — is an enticing prospect. The development underlines how promotional signings can reshape the competitive map and rekindle fights that previously stalled over commercial differences.
As the boxing calendar progresses, attention will shift from talk to contract: fans and pundits alike will be watching for announcements from MVP that transform this now-plausible option into a signed bout and a date in the diary.
