Young Indo-Canadian boxer beats champion

Toronto, Aug  A young Indo-Canadian boxer Eric Basran defeated the current Canadian champion and world medallist in an international tournament held earlier this month, the media reported on Monday.

He is now set to feature in the Northern Alberta Gold Glove Championships slated for October 3.

Basran, 16, returned from an international 15th Annual Ringside World Championships boxing tournament held in Kansas city, Missouri, after beating Thomas Blumenfeld, current Canadian Champion and world medallist, South Asian Link reported.

The tournament featured 1,900 boxers from age group eight to 40. Basran fought in the 17-18-year-old, 114 pound (52 kg) open category.

In the first match of the 10-fighter division, Basran defeated Las Vegas champion Alejandro Dominguez. In the second round, he defeated Blumenfeld.

But next day, he suffered from food poisoning and could not compete in the semi-finals.

His opponent was given a "walk-over" win, ending the hope for Basran, the report added.

Basran had lost to Blumenfeld at the National Championships earlier this year.

"He has very limited experience and at this event there were boxers from around the world with 100 or more bouts," his coach Jerry Veerasammy was quoted as saying.

"He has tremendous long reach, good boxing eyes and an innate sense of range and he hits like a mule," Veerasammy added.

"He is gifted and a very hard worker. Talent can take you to the top but like every athlete, lifestyle will determines Eric's path, so it's all up to him how far he goes," the coach was added.