Introduction
İlker Furat is a Turkish professional boxing manager and promoter, as well as a content producer and commentator. As the founder of 12 Raund Sports, he has played a pivotal role in increasing the international visibility of Turkish professional boxing. Since 2017, he has focused on athlete management, international matchmaking, and digital boxing content, including podcasts. He is listed as a manager and promoter on platforms such as BoxRec and Tapology and remains active across international media and the wider digital boxing ecosystem.
Early Life and Education
Furat was born on February 10, 1982, in Istanbul, with family roots in Yenigün village (Kadirli district, Osmaniye province). He graduated in 1999 from Maltepe Küçükyalı Industrial Vocational Institute. From 2001 to 2003, he studied at Çukurova University Vocational School (Osmaniye campus), in the Electrical Engineering Department, where he trained as an aircraft maintenance technician. In his youth, he also played amateur basketball in the youth teams of Galatasaray, Kurtuluş Sports Club, and Osmaniye Polisgücü.
Aviation Career
Alongside his work in boxing, Furat has built a long career in the aeronautical sector. Since 2004, he has worked as an aircraft maintenance technician at MNG Teknik, MATS Technic, and Turkish Airlines Teknik. He also served as Press and Publications Secretary for the Aircraft Technicians Association (UTED). This technical background is often cited as a foundation for his disciplined and systematic approach to boxing management and promotion.
Boxing and 12 Raund Sports
Furat entered boxing in 2017 by producing digital content through the Instagram account “12 Raund Boxing.” In 2018, he officially founded 12 Raund Sports in Istanbul. The name references the 12-round championship distance in professional boxing, and the company operates as a broad platform for combat sports. Its services include professional boxer management and representation, international matchmaking, coordination of trainers and training camps, digital media consulting, event organization (including the “12 Raund Boxing Night” series), audiovisual content production, and public relations. The company is licensed by the Turkish Professional Boxing Federation and the German Boxing Association, and since 2019 it has represented both Turkish and international athletes.
DAZN Turkey Partnership
Beginning in 2026, a partnership between 12 Raund Sports and DAZN Turkey positioned the company as a key player in boxing broadcasting in the country. Under the agreement, world title fights, championship bouts, and rising fighters are offered on the platform, alongside benefits and content tailored for local audiences. Guided by Furat’s vision, the collaboration combines DAZN’s production capabilities with 12 Raund Sports’ analysis and original programming, helping broaden access to high-level boxing in Turkey.
Athlete Roster
Furat and 12 Raund Sports work with a diverse group of professional boxers, including Buse Uncu, Fatih Mehmet Karakuş, Deniz Kozig, Ruslan Myrsatayev, Tomomi Takano, Érica Anabella Farías, Shauna O’Keeffe, Maria Cecchi, Cansu Çakır, Fatma Ay, and Eren Gökce, along with other emerging talents on the Turkish circuit. The athletes maintain professional profiles on specialized platforms and are regularly featured across digital content channels.
Media Work and Recognition
In addition to management and promotion, Furat has worked as a boxing commentator for outlets such as TV8.5 and Sports TV. His podcast, “12 Raund Sports,” available on platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, has released more than 70 episodes since launching in 2019 and is known for regular coverage of boxing news and events. He also publishes consistently on social media and YouTube. In 2023, he received recognition at the Golden Gloves Awards for digital content, and in 2025, he was named “Best Turkish Manager” at the 12 Raund Awards.
Conclusion
With experience spanning aviation, media, and an expanding international boxing network, İlker Furat continues to support the growth of professional boxing in Turkey. Through 12 Raund Sports and its partnership with DAZN Turkey, he provides athletes with end-to-end representation that blends management, media visibility, and international opportunities – aiming to position Turkish boxing as a competitive, globally recognized brand.
Official Links
- Official website: ilkerfurat.com
- Boxer’s page: ilkerfurat.com
- Biography: ilkerfurat.com
- Exclusive DAZN membership: dazn.com/12raundsports
- BoxRec profile: boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Ilker_Furat
- 12 Raund Sports on BoxRec: boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/12_Raund_Sports
- Podcast: Apple Podcasts / Spotify – “12 Raund Sports”
- Instagram: 12raundsports
