Ready to Rumble: Asa “The Eraser” Baurle is Set for Silver Mittens Boxing Tournament

Asa Baurle is ready for the biggest fight of his young boxing career.

The 11-year-old southpaw who sports the nickname “Asa the Eraser” is in training for the New England Silver Mittens Boxing Tournament that begins Monday in Lowell. Baurle will fight in the semifinals against an opponent in the 60-65 pound weight class. If he wins, he’ll return to the ring the next night for the championship fight.

“Asa won this tournament last year and Mickey Ward’s trainer [Mickey Keefe] presented him the trophy,” said Brett Baurle, Asa’s father.

Asa has been working our regularly at the Nonantum Boxing Club in Newton. He’s looking sharp in his sparring sessions, according to his father.

“He’s weighing in at about 63 pounds. He’s a southpaw with a devastating left hook and a straight right jab that’s unstoppable,” said Brett Baurle.

Asa’s trainer, Marc Gargaro, said the key to victory is scoring points in the three one-minute rounds.

“Asa looks great – what we’re working on is just scoring points [judges at ringside determine the winner by the number of punches each fighter lands],” said Gargaro.

Gargaro says that Asa is very athletic and has exceptional speed. He’s been sparring [which is practice boxing] against older [12-13 year-old] fighters.

Asa is receiving a lot of support from his family as he prepares to go after the New England title. Asa’s mother Laura and seven-year-old sister Ana are also in his corner. In fact, Ana sometimes attends workouts and jumps rope with her talented older brother.

Also supportive of Asa’s boxing career is Chris Young of MSA Mortgage who is credited with giving Asa his clever nickname.