RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (April 18, 2025) – Undefeated Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran (8-0, 3 KOs) defeated previously unbeaten Isaiah “Kyree-James” Johnson (11-1, 7 KOs) earlier today by way of  a six-round split decision in arguably the Fight of the Night in the preliminary round (16 bouts) of the inaugural Riyadh Season/World Boxing Council (WBC) Boxing Grand Prix  in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 26-year-old Johnson is a Philadelphia southpaw fighter from the United States.

“I just want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career,” Basran said after his fight. “A special thanks to my coach, Jon Quinit, and my promotional team, Three Lions Promotions. A special thanks to Turki Al-Sheikh, Mauricio Sulaimán, and the entire WBC staff. I’m in it to win it and I can’t wait for the next round.”

All winners of the 16 preliminary round bouts advance to the quarterfinals (16 fighters, 8 bouts) of the Grand Prix tournament in June. Basran will take on Ukrainian southpaw Danylo Lozan (13-0, 8 KOs), who won a six-round unanimous decision over reigning Eurasian Boxing Parlement Champion Kamronbek Eshmatov (10-2, 7 KOs) to advance. Lozan, 22, captured a gold medal at the European U-23 Championships.

Basran, fighting out of Surrey, British Columbia, as an amateur was a four-time Canadian National Champion, who won the 2019 Canadian Olympic Qualifier, in addition to capturing a bronze medal at the 2019 Commonwealth Games.                                                                                    

The single-elimination tournament is being streamed live exclusively on www.dazn.com/wbc. It started with a total of 128 fighters in four weight classes – featherweight, super lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight – and the first preliminary round concludes this Sunday.

“I gave my word before the tournament started that Basran is going to win the tournament.

Round one is done, and he showed his skill set,” Basran’s promoter Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) commented. “He was by far the most skilled boxer in his weight class. Thanks to WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and Turki Al-Sheikh for making this possible.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

All fighters will be subject to random drug testing in compliance with the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, as well as Riyadh Season’s commitment to VADA testing.

The opening round of 32 matches had scheduled six-round bouts, which will increase to eight for the final rounds in each division, and participating fighters represent more than 40 countries from around the world.

In addition to the $200,000 winner’s purse, the four divisional winners will receive the Jose Sulaimán Trophy, named after the late WBC President Jose Sulaimán, who first envisioned a prospect-based Boxing Grand Prix more than a decade ago. 

There is open scoring after the second and fourth rounds, a buzzer sounds 30 seconds prior to the end of each round, instant replay may be implemented, and no draws are guaranteed.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.threelionspromotions.com

Facebook: /ThreeLionsPromotions /ericbasranboxing

Instagram: @3LionsPromotions @ericbasranboxing

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (April 17, 2025) – Undefeated Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran (7-0, 3 KOs) has drawn unbeaten Isaiah “Kyree-James” Johnson (11-0, 7 KOs) for tomorrow’s (Friday) preliminary round of the inaugural Riyadh Season/World Boxing Council (WBC) Boxing Grand Prix in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Johnson, 26, is a southpaw fighter from Philadelphia, who has also won 13 of 14 fights (0 KOs) in the Team Combat League.

“I’m ready for anyone,” Basran said. “I’m focused and this is my time to shine.”

Basran vs. Johnson is the co-main event as the 15th of 16 scheduled matches.

“Eric drew one of the toughest fighters in the first round, but that’s what we want,” Basran’s promoter Dan Otter (Three Lions Promotions) added. “We want Eric to fight the best to be the best.”

All winners of the 16 preliminary round bouts advance to the next round in June.

The single-elimination tournament is being streamed live exclusively on www.dazn.com/wbc, featuring a total of 128 fighters in four weight classes – featherweight, super lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight – and the preliminary round concludes this Sunday.

All fighters will be subject to random drug testing in compliance with the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, as well as Riyadh Season’s commitment to VADA testing.

Basran, fighting out of Surrey, British Columbia, as an amateur was a four-time Canadian National Champion, who won the 2019 Canadian Olympic Qualifier, in addition to capturing a bronze medal at the 2019 Commonwealth Games.

The opening round of 32 matches are scheduled six-round bouts, which increases to eight for the final rounds in each division, and participating fighters represent more than 40 countries from around the world.

In addition to the $200,000 winner’s purse, the four divisional winners will receive the Jose Sulaimán Trophy, named after the late WBC President Jose Sulaimán, who first envisioned a prospect-based Boxing Grand Prix more than a decade ago.

There is open scoring after the second and fourth rounds, a buzzer sounds 30 seconds prior to the end of each round, instant replay may be implemented, and no draws are guaranteed.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.threelionspromotions.com

Facebook: /ThreeLionsPromotions /ericbasranboxing

Instagram: @3LionsPromotions @ericbasranboxing

HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada (April 10, 2025) – Undefeated Canadian super lightweight prospect Eric Basran (7-0, 3 KOs) leaves shortly to compete April 17-20 in the inaugural Riyadh Season/World Boxing Council (WBC) Grand Prix in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The single-elimination tournament will be streamed live exclusively on www.dazn.com/wbc, featuring a total of 128 fighters in four weight classes: featherweight, super lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight.

All fighters will be subject to random drug testing in compliance with the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, as well as Riyadh Season’s commitment to VADA testing.

“I’m honored, excited and grateful,” the 26-year-old Basran said about competing in the WBC Grand Prix. “I’ll be showcasing my skills to the world. I’m glad to have more exposure. I should have had 15 pro fights by now, but a lot of fights fell out. I signed with Three Lions Promotions and they’re looking for bigger opportunities for me like this. The Grand Prix can open up a lot more opportunities for me, because I haven’t been exposed enough, and I can get to another level. It’s great to be able to gauge myself against some of the best super lightweight prospects in the world. This is like a stepping-stone.”

As an amateur boxer, Basran was a four-time Canadian National Champion, who won the 2019 Canadian Olympic Qualifier, in addition to capturing a bronze medal at the 2019 Commonwealth Games.

The Surrey, British Columbia native has only fought in Canada and Mexico as in pro, but he did travel extensively as an amateur boxer, competing in Russia, Czech Republic, Australia and all-over South America.

“I know a lot of people don’t think we have good fighters in Canada,” Basran noted. “I’m going to make a statement that I’m talented and want the biggest fights. This trip is all business for me. At the end of the day, my mindset is the same as it is for any fight, and I’ll adjust to my opponents when I get into the ring. I know everything is lined up for me.”

Projected leading contenders in the wide-open super lightweight division reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Champion Alan “El Rusito” David Crenz (14-1, 14 KOs), of Argentina; WBC Asian Lightweight Champion Jerald “Truman” Into (11-0, 9 KOs), of Philippines. International Boxing Federation (IBF) Asian Lightweight Champion Danzelli Onyango Okoth (5-0, 3 KOs), of Kenya; 2024 ASBC Elite Men’s Championships gold medalist Mujbillo Tursunov (5-0, 2 KOs), of Uzbekistan; European U-23 gold medalist Danylo Lozan (12-0, 8 KOs), of Ukraine; Eurasian Boxing Parlement Super Lightweight Champion Kamronbek Eshmatov (10-1, 7 KOs), of Uzbekistan; and former WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Champion Misael “Pichon” Cabrera Urias (15-2-1, 11 KOs), of Mexico.

Other leading challengers include Spanish Lightweight Champion Jokin Garcia (10-1-1, 7 KOs), Australian Lightweight Champion Hassan Hamdan (9-0, 3 KOs), 2018 Egypt Youth Olympian Marwan Mamdouh Mohamed Madboly (5-0, 3 KOs), South African Super Lightweight Champion Ntethelelo Nkosi (7-2, 4 KOs), Poland Super Lightweight Champion Bartolomoij (9-0, 3 KOs), Ghana Boxing Authority Super Lightweight Champion Samuel “No Chance” Quaye (10-1, 7 KOs), 2018 Kazakh National Champion Sanatali Toltaysev (2-0, 1 KO), reigning Argentinian Lightweight Champion Alan Ezequiel Dutra (14-0, 8 KOs), 2019 Canadian Amateur Championship gold medalist Spencer Wilcox (10-0, 5 KOs), and United Kingdom’s Tommy “Gun” Collins (11-0, 2 KOs) and Nathan Forest (9-0, 3 KOs).

“We have reviewed the list of opponents in the super lightweight division of the WBC Grand Prix, and we are confident that Eric has what it takes to come out on top,” Basran’s promoter Dan Otter commented. “He is ready to seize this opportunity and win. This is a huge milestone for the WBC, under the leadership of President Mauricio Sulaimán, and a testament to the vision and dedication of His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh in bringing the World Cup of Boxing to life.”

The opening round of 32 matches will feature scheduled six-round bouts, increasing to eight for the final rounds in each division, and participating fighters will represent more than 40 counties from around the world.

The four divisional winners will be presented with the Jose Sulaimán Trophy, named after the late WBC President Jose Sulaimán, who first envisioned a prospect-based Boxing Grand Prix more than a decade ago.

There will be open scoring after the second and fourth rounds, a buzzer will sound 30 seconds prior to the end of each round, instant replay will be implemented, and no draws.

Below is an unofficial WBC Grand Prix super lightweight roster:

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SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS

(Subject to Change)

Joseph Abudy 6-0, 3 KOs USA

Michael “Money” Adesodun 9-1-1, 7 KOs Nigeria

Eric Basran 7-0, 3 KOs Canada

Criztec Bazaldua 6-0, 1 KO USA

Crisalito Beltran 8-0, 6 KOs Philippines

German Brochero 10-0, 10 KOs Venezuela

Tommy “Gun” Collins 11-0, 2 KOs UK

Alan “El Rusito” David Crenz 14-1, 14 KOs Argentina

Alan Ezequiel Dutra 14-0, 8 KOs Argentina

Kamronbek Eshmatov 10-1, 7 KOs Uzbekistan

Nathan Forrest 9-0, 3 KOs UK

Jokin Garcia 10-1-1, 7 KOs Spain

Hassan Hamdan 9-0, 3 KOs Australia

Jerald “Truman” Into 11-0, 9 KOs Philippines

Isaiah “Kyree-James” Johnson 11-0, 7 KOs USA

Ahmad Muhammad Jones 10-0, 7 KOs USA

Efe Derin Konuk 12-0-1, 7 KOs Thailand

Danylo Lozan 12-0, 8 KOs Ukraine

Marwan Mamdouh Mohamed Madboly 5-0, 3 KOs Egypt

Ntethelelo Nkosi 7-2, 4 KOs South Africa

Bartolomoij Przybala 9-0, 3 KOs Poland

Adlay Rodriguez 6-0, 6 KOs Cuba

Samuel “No Chance” Quaye 10-1, 7 KOs Ghana

Nurzham Serikbayev 5-0, 5 KOs Kazakhstan

Orlando Aaron Barajas Tirado 6-0, 2 KOs Mexico

Sanatali Toltaysev 2-0, 1 KO Kazakhstan

Mujbillo Tursunov 5-0, 2 KOs Uzbekistan

Carlos Utria 9-0, 9 KOs Colombia

Misael “Pichon” Cabrera Urias 15-2-1, 11 KOs México

Spencer Wilcox 10-0, 5 KOs Canada

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INFORMATION:

Website: www.threelionspromotions.com

Facebook: /ThreeLionsPromotions /ericbasranboxing

Instagram: @3LionsPromotions @ericbasranboxing

LinkedIN: @DanielOtter

HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada (March 6, 2025) – Undefeated Canadian junior welterweight prospect Eric Basran (7-0, 3 KOs) has been selected to compete in the inaugural Riyadh Season/World Boxing Council (WBC) Grand Prix scheduled to start next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The entire tournament will take place in Saudi Arabia, featuring a total of 128 fighters in four weight classes: featherweight, junior welterweight, middleweight and heavyweight. Participants may not be older than 26 years of age or have more than 10 professional fights at the time of entry. All fighters will be subject to random drug testing in compliance with the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program, as well as Riyadh Season’s commitment to VADA testing.

“This is the dream of every upcoming boxer,” an ecstatic Basran said, “and I am honored to be a part of this first ever WBC boxing World Cup “The competition looks tough in the junior welterweight division but that’s what I want. You must beat the best to be the best and I am in it to win it. I’m ready to put on a show.”

As an amateur boxer, Basran was a four-time Canadian National Champion, who won the 2019 Canadian Olympic Qualifier and captured a bronze medal at the 2019 Commonwealth Games. He turned pro on February 24, 2022, winning a four-round unanimous decision and Eric’s most recent fight was a victory by way of an opening-round knockout of Jorge Luis Rodriguez last October in London.

A native of Surrey, British Columbia, the 26-year-old Basran’s promoter is Three Lions Promotions.

“Eric is ready for this opportunity, and he has looked outstanding training over the last couple of weeks,” promoter Daniel Otter (Three Lions Promotions) noted. “The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix is a ground-breaking tournament. We are thankful that Mauricio Sulaimán and his Excellency, Turki Alalshikh, selected Eric and made this all possible. I am confident Eric has what it takes to win it all!”

The opening round of 32 matches will feature scheduled six-round bouts, increasing to eight for the final rounds in each division, and participating fighters will represent countries from around the world.

The four divisional winners will be presented with the Jose Sulaimán Trophy, named after the late WBC President Jose Sulaimán, who first envisioned a prospect-based Boxing Grand Prix more than a decade ago. 

LAVAL, Quebec, Canada – November 1, 2022 — We are exactly one month away from the great IRRESISTIBLE II boxing evening which will be presented at Place Bell in Laval on December 1. We know that the main fight will feature two world champions who will try to unify their belts while Quebecer and WBC world champion Kim Clavel (16-0, 3 KOs) will face the WBA champion of Mexico City Yesica Nery Plata (28-2, 3 KOs).

It has already been announced that WBC Continental Americas champion Mazlum Akdeniz (17-0, 8 KOs) will face Philadelphia American Samuel “Tsunami” Teah (18-4-1, 8 KOs). .) in a semi-final that promises a lot.

A fight that is likely to steal the show is that of Marie-Pier Houle (7-0-1, 2 K.-O.) from Terrebonne against Olivia “The Predator” Gerula (19-19-3, 3 K.- O.) of Winnipeg. It’s a first 8 career rounds for the Quebecer against the former WBC world champion. Indeed, Gerula was world champion from 2009 to 2010 and she has experience of 10 world championship fights (3-7). Among her opponents, we find the great champions Jelena Mrdjenovich and Amanda Serrano. In her last fight, last October, she upset world contender Logan Holler (9-2-1, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision. Marie-Pier is very excited by this confrontation: “This fight comes at the right time in my career. I just cracked the world rankings and a win could get me a lot closer to a possible world championship fight at welterweight. You can be sure that I will be motivated and ready when the bell rings! »

The three other fights on the program will allow three future great stars of professional boxing from home to fight their first career 6-round fight. Brilliant Olympian Caroline Veyre (1-0) will meet Puerto Vallarta’s Estefania Gonzalez Franco (3-5) in featherweight. This will be Franco’s second fight in Quebec.

Montreal’s skillful Derek Pomerleau (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Guadalajara’s Gustavo Magana Rodriguez (3-1-1, 1 KOs) in middleweight and the talented and former member of Canada’s national team Eric Basran (2-0, 1 KO) of Vancouver will face Juan Carlos Ramirez Garcia (4-2) of Mexico City.

Tickets will be available on www.evenko.ca and for groups info@groupeyvonmichel.ca

You can get a ticket for the modest sum of $40, taxes included or VIP tables on the floor for six people including a gourmet meal and wine for $3,500 and $4,500 plus taxes, the number is limited. The event is therefore accessible to all!