Fighting for Life: Historical Development of Boxing in Turkish Culture
Authors: ÇEMÇ Muhammed Sıddık , AKBULUT Alperen 
Published: October 2023

Sports have been an integral part of Turkish culture since ancient times, with Turks valuing physical abilities, agility, and strength. This article explores the historical and cultural significance of sports in Turkish society, focusing specifically on boxing. It highlights the historical significance of sports as a means of physical and mental preparation for war, while also acknowledging the contemporary achievements and aspirations of Turkish boxing in the international arena. The article begins by explaining the connection between sports and warfare in Turkish culture. The nomadic lifestyle of Turks, which required them to be constantly wandering and on the verge of danger, led them to prioritize physical strength and combat skills. This emphasis on sports as a means of survival and preparation for war can be traced back to the pre-Islamic era, as evident in ancient epics and inscriptions. As an example, one of the great writers of the 16th century, Sudi's book "Hediyet-ul Irfan Fimahr-ul Gulistan" includes boxing. Sudi referred to the "punch shooters" game in his work and stated that some of the students who came to Samarkand to receive training after learning how the game was played while he was in Damascus were masters of boxing demonstrations. In Divanu Lugati't-Turk, the oldest known Turkish dictionary, written by Mahmud of Kashgar between 1072-1074 in Baghdad, it is reported that boxing can be observed in Turkish history in this period, based on terms similar to boxing. Furthermore, the body shapes of legendary figures like Oguz Kagan, depicted with images of powerful animals, reflect the importance placed on muscle strength in Turkish culture. Throughout different Turkish states, including Hun, Gokturk, Seljuk, and Ottoman, various sports branches such as hunting, archery, wrestling, horse riding, and sword handling emerged and developed. These sports evolved from practical war preparation to become inseparable parts of Turkish daily life. Sports were not only valued for their physical benefits but also played a role in children's upbringing, the selection of Khans and Sultans, and even wedding ceremonies and traditions. The paper then goes into the historical evolution of boxing in modern Turkiye. While boxing has roots in ancient Turkish civilizations, its modern form was introduced by Monsieur Goury, a French Literature Teacher, during the late Ottoman Empire. Boxing gained popularity during the occupation of Istanbul, as competitions between foreign soldiers took place. The interest in boxing continued to increase after the War of Independence, leading to the establishment of the first boxing clubs and the organization of competitions in the early 20th century. The establishment of the Turkish Boxing Federation in 1923 marked an important milestone for the sport. Turkish boxers began participating in national and international competitions and achieved success in the Olympic Games, including a gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was the first Olympic gold medal in Turkish boxing history. The article concludes by acknowledging the progress made in Turkish boxing and highlighting the ongoing efforts to popularize the sport, train successful athletes, and increase the number of licensed active participants. While Turkish boxing has a rich history, there is still room for further development and modernization. However, the achievements in recent years and the commitment of the Turkish Boxing Federation point towards a promising future for the sport in Turkiye.