HARD HITTING Elif Nur Turhan aka ‘The Golden Turk’ has signed a multi-fight extension to her promotional agreement with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing ahead of the first defence of here IBF world lightweight title against Aussie Taylah Gentzen in Newcastle on Saturday January 31 LIVE on DAZN.
30yo Turhan 12-0, 8 KO’s made a MASSIVE statement when she captured the IBF belt in Monte Carlo last month taking care of Brazil’s then unbeaten Olympic hero Beatriz Ferreira in just 5 rounds.
The chief supporting bout at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena will see LOCAL HERO Josh Kelly take on Bakhram Murtazaliev in a bid to take Murtazaliev’s IBF world super-welterweight strap.
Turhan’s promoter Eddie Hearn told DAILY SPORT Boxing “Elif is the hardest female puncher, pound-for-pound, no question – in fact, she is is one of the fiercest fighters on the planet today,”
“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.”
A stacked undercard also features Josh Padley v Jaouad Belmehdi for the vacant EBU super-featherweight title, Heavyweight Leo Atang in his 5th pro outing, Cruiserweight stablemate Brad Casey looks to extending his PRO winning streak.
Commonwealth Games silver medalist Kiaran MacDonald makes his long-awaited pro debut and local super-bantamweight Lee Rogers will be looking to take his PRO TALLY to 7-0.
And last but not least in an eagerly awaiting LOCAL DERBY Newcastle’s unbeaten Josh Blenkiron takes on Jarrow’s undefeated Robbie Colman for the Northern Area lightweight strap