ONER SAHINEROL

🥊 My Boxing Journey

Let’s talk about my boxing journey.
Since I was a child, I’ve always been passionate about sports — especially boxing. What inspired me to start was my admiration for Muhammad Ali. I was born in Van, in the village of Özalp, where my passion for sports began. I was a tough kid, someone who knew how to fight through anything, no matter the circumstances.

One day, we moved to Istanbul. After a while, I started boxing and met my first coach, Ümit Yılmaz. We trained together for a long time, achieved great results, and I’m deeply grateful to him for everything. Later, I met my very valuable coach, Bedir Tulgar, who helped me grow in every possible way. He gave me everything he had, dedicated himself fully to me, and turned me into a high-level athlete.

I started with amateur fights — winning Istanbul championships and national rankings. We achieved a lot of success, but I didn’t stay long in the amateur scene. In my mind, I always had professional boxing as my goal. Competing in the 75 kg category, I began my pro journey with Kadıköy Boxing Club and won most of my matches. I even fought internationally. Although I won many of those fights, the decisions didn’t always go my way. But I’m a fighter who doesn’t know the meaning of giving up — I believe I live up to my nickname: Silent Warrior.

Don’t be fooled by my silence — when the time comes, I know how to make noise.

Eventually, I signed with Tunal Academy founder Barış Tunal and Reyes Boxing. Now, I’m working toward getting my visa so I can fight big matches in the USA, earn great purses, and build a better future for my family.

💪 Struggles and Motivation

To keep training, I’ve worked tough jobs. After long days, I fight for the little time I have left to train at night. Life can feel overwhelming sometimes, more than ever, but giving up would be betraying my dreams. I’m lucky to have people who always support me — especially my family, and my late brother. I loved him deeply and made him a promise: to become WBC World Champion and make him and my family proud.

I’d also like to thank Ali Tahir Varus, the president of Göktürk Aksaray Football Club, who sponsors me, and Barış Kurtay, whom I see as a brother and who’s always by my side. I’m grateful to everyone who has helped me on this journey.

I hope one day I’ll become champion and live my dreams to the fullest.
I believe that the best country is the one where sport is lived in its purest form.

Thank you,
Öner Şahinerol — Silent Warrior