Three Ghanaian professional boxers have big tests to pass this Saturday, August 15, 2026, as they take on foreign home favourites in dicey bouts.
In this Homowo Festive season and mood, these Ga boxers must do all within their means and powers to win.
Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe (34-2-0, 16 KOs) will face Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (19-0, 18 KOs) on August 15 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta for the WBO International Super Lightweight title.
Mercado, an undefeated American knockout artist who recently signed a long-term deal with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records, is scheduled to return on August 15 against Tagoe.
The fight will be the co-main event of the evening, headlined by Claressa Shields vs. Kaye Scott at State Farm Arena, and will be streamed on DAZN.
Tagoe is the seasoned challenger. His last high-profile fight was a unanimous decision loss to Ryan Garcia in April 2022. Since then, he has fought only twice, securing wins over Yusuf Ayinde Ogunbunmi and Modibo Keita in 2024/25
John Laryea, aka ‘Expensive Boxer’ 17-0 (13ko), will face Argentina opponent Adrian Maximiliano Robledo 13-1 (6ko) in a WBA Title Eliminator at the Casino Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The bout is the main event on the “KO a Los Drogas” fight card.
Trained by Lawrence Carl Lokko at the Bronx Boxing Gym in Jamestown, Accra, with added international preparations in the US under Robert Garcia, this may be the toughest challenge for the undefeated Laryea, who is a two-time WBO Africa Featherweight Champion and became the IBF Africa Champion.
Victory will pave the way to the big target, the WBA World Title Championship.
His confidence is too much, and with the backing of Baby Jet Promotions and Bronx Promotions, he feels safe and must deliver.
Mohammed Aryeetey will clash with Johnny Peredes in Waldorf in the other fight on the night featuring Ghanaians.
The Boxing Pro-Series is presented by Davis Boxing Promotions at Venue: Capital Clubhouse, Waldorf, MD on Sat, Aug 15, 2026.
Wishing all of them success as they fly the flag of Ghana.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
