Busenaz Surmeneli (First Turkish Boxer to Win an Olympic Metal)
Women began boxing in Türkiye as early as the 1920’s. This came about due to foreign soldiers being in Istanbul. In 1924, female boxing was hitting the media. This soon started to diminish in popularity due to the newly founded Turkish Republic, in 1923. Boxing was viewed as unconventional for women to partake in. Women were seen as having enough equality by 1935, and the female boxing scene was put on hiatus. It took off again in the late 1990’s, when teams were formalized. In the 2000’s, Turkish women began boxing internationally.
Today female boxer’s are rapidly making waves throughout Türkiye. This time there is no stopping these lady athletes. During Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics, they dominated the competition, with Busenaz Surmeneli securing the women’s welterweight gold medal. Despite her impressive record, Surmeneli never fought on a professional level.
There is a quite successful boxing manager and promoter in the region with a growing name for himself, his agency, and his team of athletes. ilker Furat has been instrumental in developing promising female boxers in Türkiye, as well as his company 12 Raund Sports. Furat manages Buse Unçu, Fatma Ay, and Cansu Çakır. These three Turkish boxers are a part of the rising women’s boxing sector. All three women have been in an annual event called The Türkiye 3rd. This is a Turkish boxing championship. It features the most elite athletes from their respective cities.
Popularity amongst women’s boxing in Türkiye has risen. It is fueled by talented athletes and dedicated managers who continue to challenge traditional norms. With figures like Busenaz Surmeneli and ilker Furat paving the way, the sport is attracting more attention and inspiring the next generation of female boxers. As these athletes gain recognition on both national and international stages, the future of women’s boxing in Türkiye looks brighter than ever!
Buse Uncu
İzmir / Türkiye
Super Bantamweight
Pro-Record : 3-0-0
Amateur Record : Türkiye 3rd. (2 x Times)
Fatma Ay
İstanbul / Türkiye
Featherweight
Amateur Record : Türkiye 3rd.
Cansu Çakır
Nevşehir / Türkiye
Middleweight
Amateur Record : Türkiye 3rd. (2 x Champion)
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.