Expensive did not stick to the game plan – Coach Lokko hopes to come back stronger
Coach Carl Lokko, trainer of John Laryea, has disclosed that their game plan against Argentina favourite Adrian Maximiliano Robledo failed to work last Sunday morning because his boxer was not following instructions and doing different things.
In an exclusive interview, he said it was a bad day at the office, and they will be back stronger.
“John was doing the wrong things rather than what I was telling him, and there was nothing I could do because he starts the rounds well but doesn’t end well”
At a point, the celebrated coach knelt in front of Laryea to find out why he was not responding to their tactics and strategies.
Coach Carl Lokko, founder of the Bronx Boxing Club, who led Richard Commey to win the IBF Lightweight title and handles many budding boxers, really had a tough time dealing with it in Buenos Aires.
He has, however, apologised for the loss, as some devoted supporters and fans kept awake and did not sleep to watch the fight.
According to Coach Lokko, they have spent years to get this opportunity, and coming out with such a performance to him was not the best, but in sports, so many things can happen, just like the Buenos Aires Showdown, so they will come back and plan for the next move.
He thanked Legacy Rise Sports Promotions, former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan, who supported him morally from the corner, and manager Samuel Anim Addo for his inspiration and motivation before, during, and after the bout.
John Abaja Laryea, aka ‘Expensive Boxer’, was disqualified by the referee Janny Guzman after several warnings as he tried to headbutt and punch below the belt.
His first career defeat at 18-1-1 leaves him losing the opportunity to crack at the WBA Featherweight title; however, he still holds the WBA and IBF Africa titles.
He has also apologised and taken full responsibility for the disqualification. He said the setback should be a lesson to learn and a mistake to correct.
The win for Robledo (14-1-0-6, WBAF3) means he will now face the winner of Figueroa-Kameda for a shot at the title.
The celebration of boxing in Buenos Aires saw the honouring of Asamoah Gyan, founder of Baby Jet Promotions, with a medal from the World Boxing Association (WBA).
By Sammy Heywood Okine
