Champions Elif Nur Turhan and Dina Thorslund Victorious

By David A. Avila

Champions Elif Nur Turhan and Dina Thorslund returned to the victory circle on Saturday in different contests in different countries.

Like an old school fighter of the 50s Nur Turhan (13-0, 8 Kos) returned to defend the IBF lightweight title after a little more than a month from a title win to defend against Australia’s Taylah Gentzen (8-2) on Saturday at Newcastle Arena in Newcastle, England.

After blowing past Brazil’s rugged Beatriz Ferreira by knockout last month, the boxing world was well aware of the Turkish fighter Nur Turhan’s power and aggression. Gentzen is one of those very aware.

Though Gentzen showed good footwork, technique and a solid chin, she relied far too much on grabbing and holding instead of actual punching. But there was a reason behind it, Nur Turhan may just punch too darn hard.

The Turkish fighter who won the IBF title via knockout, was hell bent on winning again by knockout against the Aussie. It showed in every round.

Nur Turhan started carefully looking to see what Gentzen was going to do and what kind of attack would be utilized. She quickly realized that the Aussie fighter was trying to maintain a measurable distance from Nur Turhan’s punches. And whenever the distance closed Gentzen grabbed tight in every round of the fight. That was the tactic and it allowed for a frustrating fight for Nur Turhan and the fans. The referee never warned Gentzen for holding nor threatened to deduct a point. It was terrible refereeing.

The champion had one plan and that was to erase her foe, not only in this fight but in all her fights so far. Nur Turhan began quickly winging those home run blows and though most landed on the arms and top of the head, she was connecting on something.

Round after round Gentzen used her legs and shot jabs that did not connect very often and when Nur Turhan attacked the Aussie would duck under and grab the torso of the Turkish fighter. This happened in every round.

Few punches were exchanged as Nur Turhan chased around the Aussie fighter around the ring. Gentzen rarely landed blows except when she tied up the champion, but rarely were blows connected.

Gentzen had good moments in the fifth and sixth rounds when she offered an offensive attack and scored some blows. Nur Turhan seemed pleased but reacted slowly to the change of tactics.

In the last three rounds the champion was on full attack while Gentzen seemed surprised by the extra boost in Nur Turhan’s engine. Big bombs erupted nonstop from the Turkish fighter and now they were accompanied with a straight left jab. The Aussie fighter hardly punched back. Instead, she opted to grab and wrestle while trying to slip the bombs coming her way. Nur Turhan connected several times on point but Gentzen took the blows well.

The final round saw Nur Turhan winging blows nonstop and Gentzen clinching and wrestling. The Aussie fighter was on survival mode and Nur Turhan was seeking a knockout. It did not come and at the final bell Gentzen raised her hands, perhaps at surviving and maybe feeling the judges would give her extra credit for lasting 10 rounds.

After 10 rounds one judge John Basile actually favored Gentzen 97-93 though she rarely connected with blows and held in every round. Two other judges saw Nur Turhan the victor 96-94 and 98-92 for a split decision win for the Turkish fighter.

Dina Thorslund Wins

For more than a year Dina Thorslund (24-0, 9 Kos) had been inactive and seemed anxious to get back to business. Spain’s Almudena Alvarez (7-4, 2 Kos) at 44 years old and new to the sport was just as anxious to prove her talent, but experience proved too much to overcome in losing by unanimous decision.

Thorslund opened the fight with her usual aggressive posture and combination punching against the taller Spaniard. But Alvarez showed that despite only boxing professionally for less than four years, she had skills fighting as a southpaw and switching to orthodox.

Alvarez tried to use her length and persistence to neutralize Thorslund’s rushes but though she succeeded at moments, it was not enough to offset the numerous left hooks scored by the Danish fighter who formerly held the super bantam and bantam world titles.

Every time Alvarez rallied Thorslund answered back and could not miss with the left hook which she fired in different forms. The Spanish fighter had good moments in the fifth and sixth round with combinations punching and making Thorslund miss.

Thorslund used her experience to neutralize Alvarez and whatever the Spaniard did the Danish fighter did more. It was experience that proved beneficial in this match for the interim featherweight title.

Alvarez showed her age was not a detriment. She had her moments and seemed more experienced than her record displayed. But after 10 rounds all three judges favored Thorslund 100-90, 100-90, 99-91.

Thorslund wins the interim WBC featherweight title and is in position to face the actual WBC titlist Tiara Brown or an opportunity to face unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano. Either match is a tremendous challenge. Or, she can return to bantam or super bantam where she could fight Ellie Scotney or Cherneka Johnson. All of these matches are possible because all are signed with Most Valuable Promotions.