Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Apr 2025
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
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
Fri, 04 Jul 2025International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Fri, 04 Jul 2025Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 03 Jul 2025No issues with fight ref
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Thu, 03 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 03 Jul 2025ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
Wed, 02 Jul 2025TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 02 Jul 2025