Ghana’s John Abaja Laryea was disqualified in the early hours of last Sunday in far-away Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he suffered his first loss to homeboy Adrian Maximiliano Robledo as they fought for the North American Featherweight title, which was also an elimination bout for the WBA title.
John Laryea, who was led into the ring by legendary Asamoah Gyan, former Black Stars skipper and Africa’s highest goal scorer at the FIFA World Cup, and Coach Carl Lokko as well as manager Samuel Anim Addo, did not fight as expected.
After winning the first round, he started backtracking, and by the third round he was visibly tired and resorted to holding, clinching, and falling.
On some occasions during the fight, he looked frustrated and decided to headbutt and also punch below the belt.
This caused the referee to warn him several times, and in the ninth round, the man in the middle called off the bout and awarded victory to Robledo, who looked very fit and conditioned on fight night.
Laryea’s manager, Sammy Anim Addo aka Ohene, said after the bout, “Tonight didn’t go the way we hoped, and we sincerely apologize to everyone who stood behind John Laryea and supported him throughout this journey. Every setback is a lesson, not the end of the road. We will take the lessons, work harder, and come back stronger.
This is only a chapter. The comeback will be greater. Abaja Laryea”.
Some fans who watched the bout on a giant screen at the Bukom Park did not believe their eyes and said stubborn Laryea, as they know him, disappointed them because he did not fight the way they wanted and suspected his fitness level was not up to the bout.
Present at Bukom were Hon. Alfred Kotey Ashie and veteran boxing consultant, Yoofi Boham.
It was Laryea’s first defeat in 18 bouts, and his fans believe he can come back better as he must have learnt some lessons.
Team Laryea expressed gratitude to Legacy Rise Sports Promotions for their support and for getting a few fans in Argentina to cheer him.
The WBA honoured Asamoah Gyan with a medal before the bout. In attendance was another Ghanaian football star, Laryea Kingston, who was there to offer his support.
On a night featuring three Ghanaians in different rings, Emmanuel Tagoe, aka Gameboy, could not fight on the Claressa Shields bill in Atlanta due to being overweight; however, Mohammed Aryeetey won on points in Maryland, USA.
Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe (34-2-0, 16 KOs) was to face Ernesto “Tito” Mercado (19-0, 18 KOs) for the WBO International Super Lightweight belt.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
