Photo: Vincent Ethier – Anecdote: Due to his origins, Mehmet Unal was nicknamed ‘The Last Ottoman’ as an amateur.
In 2021, when EOTTM signed Mehmet Unal, I was very curious. His background was anything but typical: at 28, after a kickboxing career, he went to the Rio Olympics somewhat under the radar, and I wondered what Marc Ramsay saw in him.
So far, his budding pro career seems to vindicate Ramsay, though Unal still flies a bit under the radar, in my view. So here I am, offering my ready-made expert analysis. As a result, I’ve made him my October prospect of the month.
Why Sign Him?
My first hypothesis: Unal must be a powerhouse, with impressive punching power and a jaw capable of withstanding punches, having already faced kicks.
In researching his amateur record, I discovered he had over a hundred fights, qualified for the Olympics, and secured wins over names like Oleksandr Khyzhniak, Keno Machado, and Loren Alfonso.
From Adana, a city with a population of almost 2 million often called the ‘Miami of Europe’ for its climate and atmosphere, Mehmet Unal has origins as unique as his style.
August 27, 2021
This date is significant: it’s the day I added Mehmet Unal to my list of boxers to watch. That evening, in Cuernavaca, Mexico, he quickly defeated Jair Sena, the same opponent who had gone the distance with Lexson Mathieu, Wilfried Seyi, and Simon-Pierre Adde. As a fan of ‘rule of three’ logic, I committed to following Mehmet Unal’s career progression.
Since then, he has delivered several impressive performances. His swift victory over Dragan Lepei outshone that of William Scull, the current IBF champion. Similarly, he stopped Rodolfo Gomez in four rounds, whereas Gomez had gone the distance with Diego Pacheco, Lester Martinez, and Ahmed Elbiali.
Today, Unal has a record of (11-0, 9 KOs), just one win away from being ranked, with Boxrec already placing him 30th in the 175-pound division.
Well Supported
Quebec is an ideal environment for developing his talent. He can train alongside Christian Mbilli, Erik Bazinyan, and Artur Beterbiev. Physically strong, Unal loves to apply pressure and finish his opponents with hooks and uppercuts.
“Mehmet always surprised everyone a little by beating headliners in amateur competitions. He doesn’t have a classic style; he’s unpredictable, often off-tempo, and hard to read. At 28, his experience allows us to move forward quickly with him,” says Unal’s assistant coach, Samuel Décarie-Drolet.
Marc Ramsay, for his part, noted that he immediately wanted to sign him after watching his victory over Olympic medalist Loren Alfonso.
“He has the heart of a professional boxer; he’s a true fighter.”
For a complete picture, one might note that while he’s a beast in the ring, Unal can seem rigid. He’ll need to learn to manage his energy, work behind his jab, and sometimes aim for unanimous decisions, as KOs won’t always be guaranteed against higher-level opponents.
Preparing for Life After Artur
I have to admit, I have a soft spot for these kinds of boxers, often underestimated or relegated to the background. In the same division and still with EOTTM, Albert Ramirez is already ranked in the top 5, with a title shot on the horizon, while Imam Khataev is seen as a potential successor to Artur Beterbiev.
Meanwhile, Mehmet Unal continues to overcome every challenge thrown his way.
I’m convinced that Marc Ramsay and Camille Estephan have a secret place where all of EOTTM’s plans and strategies are posted. They’re likely already anticipating the moment when Artur Beterbiev will vacate his titles and retire. Their goal seems clear: to give Albert Ramirez, Mehmet Unal, and Imam Khataev a chance at a vacant title.
A big challenge for Marc Ramsay, but a welcome problem to handle.
