ERIC Basran, an undefeated Indian-Canadian prospect, is set to enter the first-ever WBC Grand Prix in Riyadh next month at super-lightweight. Alongside several familiar names, some from the same Canadian amateur team he was a part of, Basran is revelling in the chance to show his skills on such a large platform under a new format.
“I am so honoured to be a part of this tournament; it sounds like such a great format and an exciting opportunity to get my name out there to the people who haven’t heard of me before,” he said.
“For young up-and-coming prospects, it’s just a game changer as it’s going to give our profiles a huge boost, hopefully and open doors for us in the sport moving forward.
“I feel like I’m ready to show the world my skills and I’m sure all the other fighters feel the same way which makes it even more exciting. We are all coming into this with complete confidence in our abilities and looking to take it with both hands. I cannot wait to get out to Riyadh and make history.
Basran continued: “I’ve been boxing since I was very young. I became provincial champion and Canadian champion and travelled the world fighting at the Commonwealth and World Championships. I have given my whole life to this sport, and I believe this is my time now”.
A member of the Canadian amateur team up until 2021, Basran was on track to compete for the team at the 2020 Olympics (pushed back a year due to COVID-19) but was struggling with an injury that required surgery.
Basran went back and forth on whether he should push forward with the injury untreated or follow through with the surgery and decide on his future in the amateurs afterwards. He opted to get the surgery he needed and chose not to wait another four years, turning professional shortly after in 2022.
“I had a great experience on the amateur team. It really set me up well for success in the professional game. I appreciate all my coaching and take the good with the bad. I am a big believer in everything happening for a reason and it’s all worked out the way it was meant to up to this point.
“My style has transitioned well from the amateurs; I’m still moving nicely, but I’m sitting down on my shots more and making sure my opponents feel the punches rather than just aiming to point score as you would in the amateurs.
“Some fighters struggle to turn over from the amateurs and either fail completely or get stuck in between styles. I think where I’m at at the moment is the perfect blend of what made me a good amateur and now a solid professional who is constantly learning and evolving”.
As well as being committed to his craft as a boxer, Eric is a man of faith coming from a practicing Sikh family, having been passed down both religious wisdom and cultural understanding from his grandparents and a more modern understanding of how to navigate life in the Western world from his parents. Basran is aware of his responsibilities to represent the Punjabi Sikh community around the world, as well as Canada, as he steps up in levels through the sport.
“I’m a proud Sikh. Sikhs are warriors and that’s always something I have been proud of and taken seriously. My faith holds such a close place in my heart. My grandparents came over to Canada many years ago and my parents were born here.
“I’ve had both the eastern and western values instilled in me throughout my life, and I think I have the perfect mix of both where I’m not losing a grip on my ancestral roots, but I’m also moving with the times here in Canada.
“My Nana ji (grandmother) and my Baba ji (grandfather) really made sure I understood my religion and my Punjabi culture and heritage. I make sure I regularly attend the Gurdwara (temple) and I make sure to keep my religion close to my heart and I am grateful to my grandparents for giving me the understanding to do so.
“There is a massive Punjabi community here in Surrey. I appreciate all the love they show me and how much they have backed me so far. I hope I can bring more success and inspire more kids to enter the sport and represent our community in the future too”.
Eric has managed to build a healthy following on his social media platforms for a 7-0 prospect with his links to the Punjabi Sikh, Indian and South Asian communities.
He is very big on young fighters understanding how to build their brands early on, as social media can open doors in ways that weren’t previously available to young up-and-coming fighters, as well as superstars of the sport.
“I’m not the best with using social media but my team have really helped me to understand how important it is to interact with followers online and post content regularly.
“These things can open doors for sponsorships and partnerships that can help young fighters like me so much. It means I can focus on the things that matter, like training and development, which is what matters the most.
“I get a lot of messages from people saying they’re happy to see me doing well and they’ll be watching my fights and supporting me on my journey. That really gives me a boost and makes me realise as much as I’m fighting for me, I’m also fighting for something bigger and it’s a big motivator, for sure.
“I know over in the UK you had Amir Khan open doors for British Pakistanis and now there are so many young up-and-coming talents making names for themselves.
“I really would like to be the guy to do that for the Sikh community here in Canada and around the world if possible. We haven’t had a truly outstanding Sikh fighter in the professional game just yet, so if I can help to push us forward and make histor,y then that would be something I can look back on and be extremely proud of.
“First of all, I have to handle business in the WBC Grand Prix and once I get through the tournament, the aim is to work my way into world title contention. I have the skills to go far, and I am looking forward to showing the boxing world that I belong at that level.”
