Introduction
In the world of Turkish combat sports, few figures have worn as many hats as successfully as ilker Furat. ilker was born on February 10, 1982, in Istanbul. He has transformed himself from a passionate boxing spectator into one of Turkiye’s most recognized boxing managers, promoters, commentators, and media entrepreneurs. His journey represents a unique blend of technical expertise, media savvy, and genuine passion for the sweet science.
From Aviation to the Ring
Furat’s path to boxing prominence was far from conventional. After graduating from Maltepe Küçükyalı Industrial Vocational High School in 1999, he pursued aircraft maintenance technology at Çukurova University Osmaniye Vocational Schools. Soon after, he built a career as an aircraft maintenance technician. He worked at MNG Technic from 2004 to 2011, followed by positions at MATS Technic and Turkish Technic.
Imagine having a diverse dual career path. By day, maintaining aircrafts. Whilst building a boxing conglomerate by night! This ability has demonstrated Furat’s remarkable work ethic and adaptability to different career paths.
The Birth of 12 Raund Sports
When Furat founded 12 Raund Sports, it was launched as a platform focused on combat sports interviews, event coverage, and media content. Initially, it began as an Instagram page. It had shared boxing news and rapidly evolved into something much more substantial. The platform reached boxing audiences, while Furat became a credible voice in Turkish combat sports media.
The platform’s name, “12 Raund” (12 Rounds), pays homage to the traditional championship distance in professional boxing, signaling Furat’s commitment to covering the sport at its highest level. The 12 Raund Boxing podcast has received YouTube awards, recognizing its quality content, and reach within the boxing community.
Today, 12 Raund Sports operates across multiple platforms, including a robust social media presence, with the main 12 Raund Boxing Instagram account. This has grown to over 202,000 followers. The platform covers both Turkish and international boxing. Which provides Turkish-language content, that fills a crucial gap in the market.
Transition to Management and Promotion
In 2019, Furat transitioned into boxing management, working with athletes from Turkiye and beyond. He achieved this while still carrying out PR activities. By spending numerous years networking and building positive working relationships within the boxing sector, he understands the business end of the sport. Hence, this move from media to management was a natural evolution for him.
Furat is registered as a boxing manager and promoter, in Yenigün village of Kadirli district of Osmaniye. Additionally, he holds a boxing promoter’s license in both the Turkish Professional Boxing Federation and the German Boxing Association (GBA). This dual licensing gives him the ability to operate across borders. This is a rather important capability in the current boxing sector.
Among the boxers Furat has promoted and managed are world champions and top fighters including: Deniz Kozig, Burcin Cakir, Sezer Olpak, Dilara Yucel, Cansu Cakir, Tomomi Takano, Fatma Ay, Maria Cecchi, Shauna O’Keeffe, Buse Uncu, Ruslan Myrsatayev, and Erica Anabella Farias. This extensive list demonstrates his ability to work with male and female boxers, in various weight classes and nationalities.
In June of 2022, ilker ‘s company, 12 Raund Sports has promoted boxing events in Istanbul. This has included 12 Raund Boxing Night 1. This is when the organization initially began actively promoting live boxing events in Turkiye. ilker Furat is now an active promoter. 12 Raund was originally founded years earlier as a media entity. It has come a long way.
Broadcasting and Commentary Work
ilker Furat’s media presence is international and obviously goes beyond his media platforms. He is a boxing commentator on Turkish television channels such as: TV8.5, Muğla Türk, Lider Haber TV, and Sports TV. By doing this broadcasting work, he has become a household voice to Turkish boxing fans. This is done by giving expert analyses and commentary on domestic and international fights alike.
His commentary style benefits from his comprehensive understanding of the sport—not just the technical aspects of boxing itself, but also the business, promotional, and strategic elements that shape modern boxing. This gentleman brings a well-rounded perspective to his analysis. The reason being is that he is involved in many aspects of the sport.
International Recognition
Furat’s work has been internationally recognized. His activities as a boxing manager have been noted in international boxing publications, including Rincón Rojo Magazine and FightMatrix. In August of 2024, FightMatrix conducted an extensive interview with Ilker Furat.
In the FightMatrix interview, Furat described himself as someone who had been a boxing spectator for 25 years before making the pivotal transition to becoming a boxing manager. When asked about the services he provides for his athletes, he explained that his work advances in multiple areas: managing camp and training invitations for athletes, matchmaking, organization, PR support, and social media aid.
Philosophy and Approach
What distinguishes Furat in the world of boxing management is his charismatic, modern, and integrated approach. He emphasizes the importance of following current news closely, and making moves based on relevant information. He has mentioned how Saudi is very popular in boxing. This awareness of global boxing trends allows him to position his fighters advantageously.
When discussing his inspirations, Furat noted that he loves listening to music and great athletes. He also added that his perseverance in the boxing community, serves as an experience that informs his ongoing journey. This continuous learning mindset has allowed him to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of professional boxing.
On the growth of combat sports, Furat offered an insightful perspective in his FightMatrix interview. He observed that at a time when soccer has become an industry, and the NBA is seeking its former stars, people have turned more toward combat sports. He stated that boxing, and all combat sports have caught a rising trend globally, over the past three years. This includes social media and gyms being rather effective in this growth, especially amongst women.
The Broader Context of Turkish Boxing
Furat’s work occurs within the context of a growing Turkish boxing scene. While Turkiye has a long amateur boxing tradition, dating back to 1924. The professional side of the sport has historically been less developed. Leaders such as Furat, are helping to change that, by creating infrastructure for Turkish professional boxers to compete internationally. One of his goals is to bring international visibility to Turkish fighters.
His dual licensing in Turkiye and Germany is extraordinarily strategic and highly intelligent. Many Turkish-heritage boxers live and train in Germany. This remains one of Europe’s strongest boxing markets. This connection allows Furat to serve as a bridge between Turkish boxing and the broader European scene.
Challenges and Time Management
It cannot be easy for Furat to balance a full-time career as an aircraft maintenance technician, while running a media platform, managing and promoting fighters, and providing commentary on television. When asked about this in his FightMatrix interview, he acknowledged that time is the most valuable commodity, but emphasized his strategy of staying current with news and information to make informed decisions efficiently.
Looking Ahead
As of 2024, Furat continues to expand his influence in Turkish and international boxing. The 12 Raund Sports platform keeps growing, his roster of fighters continues to develop, and his voice remains prominent in Turkish boxing media. The interview with FightMatrix duly noted that he is an intelligent, youthful, and clever businessman. He is
willing to pursue anything he desires because of his passion, devotion, and drive! He has been managing boxers for approximately seven years.
In an era when boxing management and promotion are becoming increasingly complex—requiring expertise in media, marketing, international regulations, and athlete development—Furat represents a new breed of boxing professional. He understands that success in the boxing sector now requires more than just arranging fights. It consists of building brands, creating content, leveraging social media, and understanding global markets.
Conclusion
Ilker Furat’s story is one of passion transformed into profession. He has been a lifelong boxing fan who decided not just to watch from the sidelines. Therefore, he strived to become an active participant in the sport’s development in Turkiye. From his beginning in aviation, to his current status as a multi-faceted boxing professional, Furat exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit needed to succeed in modern day combat sports.
As Turkish boxing continues to develop and produce world-class talent, figures like Furat—who can manage, promote, commentate, and create media—will be essential to the sport’s growth. His work with 12 Raund Sports has created not just a business, but a platform that serves the entire Turkish boxing community. This is done by providing coverage, opportunities, and international connections that didn’t exist before.
For a man who still maintains his day job as an aircraft technician, Furat’s achievements in boxing are remarkable. Perhaps what’s most impressive is that he’s just getting started. As he continues to build 12 Raund Sports, develop fighters, and expand his media presence, Furat is positioning himself as one of the most important figures in the future of Turkish boxing.
MMA & Boxing Writer | Business Development Consultant
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for decades. Judo is the martial art that I most admire. As a teenager I practiced for a bit. This piqued my interest in MMA since 2001. Now I am on a new journey, hitting the dojo when possible. Learning how to methodically adapt to Judo, currently is a hobby that I enjoy. At FightMatrix, I am the business development consultant. Additionally, I write about various martial arts and boxing.