Women's IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan will waste no time getting back in the ring in 2026, with her first title defence against Taylah Gentzen set for Jan. 31 in Newcastle, England.

The fight will be be on the undercard of Bakhram Murtzaliev's junior middleweight title fight against Josh Kelly.

Matchroom's Nur Turhan (12-0, 8 KOs) had a standout year in 2025, winning all three of her fights by knockout and claiming the IBF strap with a Round 8 KO over Beatriz Ferreira in December.

The Turkish fighter announced herself on the world stage with the win over Ferreira with her speed and power making for a devastating win in Monaco.

Less than a month later, the 30-year-old will defend her belt for the first time against Australian Gentzen (8-1, 3 KOs).

An impressive 12 months saw Nur Turhan come in at No. 10 in ESPN's top women's boxers of the year for 2025, while she also broke into ESPN's pound-for-pound list for the first time, also at No.10 in January.

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, who also confirmed a multi-year extension with Nur Turhan, said a unification bout with Caroline Dubois is top of the wish list.

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

"I'm thrilled to have signed Elif to a new Matchroom deal 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."

Dubois has told ESPN she wants to fight WBO champion Terri Harper in the first quarter of 2026 before pushing on in a bid to become undisputed champion.