John Abaja Laryea, aka The Expensive Boxer who makes his debut in the USA on November 1 at Caribe Royale, Orlando against Alexander Mejia from Nicaragua says he is taking first bout like a world title.
“My target is the world title, but I am taking this first opportunity in the USA as a title fight because winning will motivate me and my team and colleagues to get better. I am going to shock the world” he said in an exclusive interview.
The undefeated young boxer with 14 bouts, 13 victories and one draw said he will win to make his trainer happy.
Coach Carl Lokko of the Bronx Gym discovered him and turned him pro at age 18.
Now 22, Laryea feels he has gone through all the training rudiments that makes one a world champion.
He had the privilege to train with Coach Don Charles, trainer of IBF World Heavyweight champ, Daniel Dubois.
“My coach has made world champions and he will certainly make me a world title holder, I am very much grateful to coach Lokko and my manager, Sammy Anim Addo for the opportunity they have given me, and I am going to make them proud”.
He noted that there is no juju or medicine in boxing except training.
“The juju in boxing is training, and at Bronx Gym, we train hard and well, that is why we have many young champions, we also support each other” he expressed.
John Laryea who is a two time WBO Africa Featherweight champion said since he beat tough Namibian Nathanael Sebastianus to win the African title, it has been difficult to get opponents as everyone is afraid to face him, so he has to move outside Africa to the USA where there are many boxers to challenge.
“I am going to the USA to learn and win for Ghana” he noted.
“I want to appreciate and thank all my fans at Jamestown, Bukom and Chorkor Level One, they have shown real love and I will not disappoint, they should keep on praying for the Team Laryea” he added.
By Sammy Heywood Okine