Elif Nur Turhan vs Alycia Baumgardner

This looks like a great fight on paper, but it could be messy if Baumgardner decides to tie the champion up on the inside. Elif Nur Turhan is the naturally bigger woman and brings spite with her punches, while Alycia Baumgardner is the more polished boxer. Turhan’s stoppage of Beatriz Ferreira proved she belongs at this level, but that tight fight with Taylah Gentzen also showed she can be made to look ordinary when denied a set target.

Turhan’s advantage is her physical pressure. She steps in hard behind the right hand and can hurt Baumgardner if she pins her near the ropes. Her weakness is that she comes forward in fairly straight lines and can leave gaps after committing. Baumgardner has quicker feet, a sharper counter right, and a better understanding of distance. She was technically excellent against Bo Mi Re Shin, although she can admire her work and allow opponents back into rounds.

I expect Turhan to make the opening rounds uncomfortable, but Baumgardner should start timing her entries, turning her and landing before moving off. The extra weight is a genuine concern, yet skill and ring craft win this for me. Baumgardner by decision, after surviving a few rough moments early.