ISMAIL YAZICI

Life never played fair with me.
My childhood unfolded in the streets of Antalya.
I didn’t grow up under the sun—I fought in its shadows.
With fists, with rejection, with loneliness…
Because I learned early: this world leaves some people outside from the very beginning.

My first love wasn’t boxing.
It was basketball.
The moment I first touched the ball, I thought life had finally given me a space.
But just like boxing… they tried to take it from me.
And they succeeded.
But I didn’t quit.
I didn’t learn by winning—I learned by refusing to give up.

Then one day, I met boxing.
But don’t think I became a hero overnight.
No.
The moment I stepped in, I started getting beaten.
For months. For years.

But that wasn’t my first fight.
I had been fighting in the streets long before I stepped into a ring.
For some reason, everyone wanted to pick a fight with me.
Trouble always found me.
Didn’t matter if they were older or younger—
I stood up to them all.
Did I fall? Yes.
But every single time, I found a way to rise.

Because boxing wasn’t just a sport to me.
It was my confrontation with myself.
With my fears…
With that voice inside me…
No one saw it, but I fought myself every day.
Not just in the ring—
But at night on the pillow,
in the silence of the crowd,
in every lonely morning training session.

I was alone.
Even my own family couldn’t understand me.
Didn’t believe in me.
No one knew the storms I held inside.
Everyone had a place to belong—
All I had was a life I refused to surrender.

Society always kept me on the outside.
They never said it out loud,
but their eyes did:
“You don’t belong here.”

So I swore I’d never become like them.
Because I’m not that silenced kid anymore.
Now when I step into the ring,
I’m not just fighting my opponent—
I’m facing my past.

Today, I’m a professional boxer.
But more than that…
I’m a human being who learned how to stand tall with his wounds.

I come from broken dreams,
from empty promises,
from cold gyms and silent crowds.
And I’m still here.
Because this isn’t just my story—
It’s the story of everyone who never fit in.

I don’t throw punches for medals—
I throw them for the kids who were never heard.

I never had a coach in boxing. I always trained alone, everywhere, every moment. In the fights I entered, I didn’t even have someone to stand in my corner. Some just wanted money, others chose not to be there at all. The conditions in my country were tough; expensive and poor, and I had to do everything myself. Every expense, every training, every preparation came out of my own pocket. I became my own sponsor, my own coach, and my own opponent. And over time, I realized that I didn’t really need anyone. I always chose to be alone, everywhere, every time.

Until one day, Barish Tunal came to the gym where I trained. We started working out together. He asked me, “Do you want to become a professional?” There was only one answer in my eyes: “Yes, that’s all I want.” At that moment, I felt it — my life was about to change.

Barish never left me alone. It wasn’t just me; there were many foreign athletes like me around us, but he treated me specially. He became my sponsor, made my life easier; gave me nice houses, cars, delicious food, and modern gyms. Did we face difficulties? Of course we did, and we still do. Because life is like that — the struggle never ends.

Many boxers left him, gave up. But I didn’t. Because I believed, because he believed in me too. And today, we are still together. Strong, determined, walking shoulder to shoulder toward big dreams.

This path was one I walked alone, but now I’m not alone anymore. And this showed me that no matter how many hardships I face, with faith and solidarity, I can overcome every obstacle.

Becoming a World Champion and a Beacon of Hope for Youth

I grew up in the streets of Antalya; often alone, often unseen. That little kid, hiding their dreams, was quietly fighting inner fears. Now, that child still lives inside me. But now I can say to them: « You’re not alone. Your voice will be heard. »

My dream isn’t just to become a world champion in the ring. My dream is to stand in front of that little kid and say, « I made it. » My dream is to be there for every young person who has felt alone, who hasn’t been supported — to whisper, « You can do it too. »

In every fight, I’m not just challenging my opponent — I’m facing all the heartbreaks of my past. Those struggles made me who I am. And I know my story is the story of everyone who’s ever said, « I am not alone. »

Every victory I win in the ring will be a spark of hope in the hearts of lonely youths. I want to show them that it’s not where you come from, but where you’re going that matters. Being by their side, being their voice — that is my greatest goal.

I’m not just a boxer.
I am the voice of the silenced children,
the hope for those searching for light in the dark.