{"id":402371,"date":"2026-01-09T16:58:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/402371\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T16:58:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:58:07","slug":"why-elif-nur-turhan-won-the-sporting-news-womens-fighter-of-the-year-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/402371\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Elif Nur Turhan won The Sporting News’ Women’s Fighter of the Year 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

There were several great performances from female boxers in 2025. Undisputed champions were crowned, while Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano completed a legacy-defining trilogy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Several fighters competed multiple times, giving way to multiple contenders for Fighter of the Year. However, one fighter came out of left field to stand tall. Elif Nur Turhan had quite the year, ending it as a champion, which is why she\u2019s taking home The Sporting News’ Women’s Fighter of the Year award.<\/p>\n

Awarded to the likes of Claressa Shields<\/a>,\u00a0Taylor<\/a>, and Gabriela Fundora<\/a>, Turhan (12-0) had three wins in 2024, building herself up to become a true contender at super featherweight. The Turkish fighter elevated her game in 2025, ending the year as the IBF lightweight champion.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old Turhan signed with Matchroom Boxing in 2025 and it was quickly easy to see what Eddie Hearn liked. She started in March by needing less than a minute to take out Irish fighter Shauna Browne in Belfast in March.<\/p>\n

MORE: The case for two vs. three-minute rounds in women’s boxing<\/a><\/p>\n

“Elif brings action and vicious intentions every time she steps in the ring,” Hearn said. “Her team had been messaging me for a long time, asking for just one chance \u2013 and she grabbed it with both hands by delivering one of the best knockouts I\u2019ve seen in women\u2019s boxing in Belfast.<\/p>\n

“Elif took the fight against Shauna Browne on about ten days\u2019 notice and showed us all what she is capable of. She is a huge puncher and will no doubt become one of the most exciting fighters in women\u2019s boxing. Remember the name!\u201d<\/p>\n

Elif Nur Turhan DROPS Shauna Browne and it’s OVER!! \ud83d\ude31#CrockerDonovan<\/a> | Live on DAZN today pic.twitter.com\/X4suphWOw9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Turhan quickly became a top contender, returning in July and stopping Rima Ayadi in her backyard of France to win the interim WBA super featherweight title. Her fast-growing reputation as one of the biggest punchers in women’s boxing went overground in her next fight.<\/p>\n

Facing her toughest opponent to date in December, Turhan took on IBF lightweight champion and Olympic silver medalist Beatriz Ferreira. Turhan completely dominated a high-class world champion, dropping Ferreira in the opening round and again in the fifth before the bout was stopped.<\/p>\n

It was one of the most explosive performances seen in a women’s title fight. Turhan earned her fourth straight win inside the distance, her eighth overall via the power punch. It was a moment she had been waiting her entire life to achieve.<\/p>\n

Elif Nur Turhan STOPS Beatriz Ferreira!!! \ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf7\ud83d\ude31#MasoudMcGrail<\/a> | Live NOW on DAZN\u25aa\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/0Vj2dS0sPs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI worked so hard for three years for this fight. This is what I worked for, and this is what I gave my all to. I trained that hard that I cried, and this is what it was for,\u201d Turhan said after the fight.<\/p>\n

MORE: Top 12 best pound-for-pound fighters in women’s boxing<\/a><\/p>\n

While she has yet to enter the pound-for-pound rankings, Turhan is expected to make a dent in it if all goes according to plan in 2026.<\/p>\n

She could face top contenders or go straight to unification fights. Stephanie Han, Caroline Dubois, and Terri Harper are the other champions in the division. A majority of the other champions are under the Most Valuable Promotions banner. A cross-promotional fight is entirely possible in 2026.\u00a0 She will make her first defence of the IBF strap against Australia’s\u00a0Taylah Gentzen in Newcastle, UK on January 31.<\/p>\n

Hearn has called her the “most destructive pound-for-pound star in the sport today.\u201d A fighter with some pop, it\u2019s hard to deny that Turhan is as dangerous as they come. From contender to champion, that is why Elif Nur Turhan is The Sporting News’ Women’s Fighter of the Year for 2025.<\/p>\n

The Sporting News’ Women’s Fighter of the Year<\/p>\n

Claressa Shields (2022)<\/a> |\u00a0Katie Taylor (2023)<\/a> | Gabriela Fundora (2024)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Elif Nur Turhan (2025)<\/p>\n