İlker Furat is a Turkish boxing promoter, manager, and media producer. He works across Germany and Türkiye, some know him as “A Man of Many Hats.” In 2018 he founded 12 Raund Sports, now a leading force in athlete management, international matchmaking, and boxing broadcasting through its partnership with DAZN. İlker has become a key figure in elevating Turkish boxing globally. He is especially known for championing women’s boxing, and managing world-class fighters like Deniz Kozig, Burcin Cakir, Maria Cecchi, and Erica Anabella Farias.
What sets him apart is the dual path he’s walked: alongside his work in boxing, İlker spent nearly 24 years as an aircraft maintenance technician. He brings that same precision and discipline to the ring, and cites patience and self-investment as the foundation for lasting success in the sport.
Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Partnership Marketing and Digital Strategy Lead (Combat Sports)
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for almost three decades. Since 2001, I have enjoyed watching the UFC. I hold an academic background in Gerontology from Madonna University, and spent 25 years working across both clinical and non-clinical healthcare settings. But a lifelong passion for writing and martial arts eventually pulled me toward a new chapter. Today, I write for FightMatrix.com. Additionally, I interview professionals in the Combat Sports sector.
