John Laryea eyes world title shot ahead of Mejia showdown in USA

Undefeat­ed Ghanaian boxer and WBO African featherweight champion, John Laryea (13-0-1,11KOs), says he is fully prepared for next week’s bout against Nicaraguan boxer, Alexander Mejia.

The bout scheduled for No­vember 1 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, USA, promises to be an intriguing one between two highly rated featherweight boxers.

Speaking in an interview ahead of his trip to the USA, Laryea, who is nicknamed ‘Expensive Boxer,’ expressed concern about Ghana not having a world champion currently and hoped to use the bout as a launch pad to a world title.

“I have done it all in Ghana, and it is time to showcase my talent outside. My opponent is a good boxer, having fought numerous world champions, but I am focused on getting the win.

“It is my first fight in the USA, and I promise Ghanaians that I will bring home a win because I have a good manage­ment technical teams. I have been preparing for this bout for about eight months and I am ready,” he told the GNA Sports.

Under the guidance of highly-rated Coach, Carl Lokko, Laryea says he has learnt a lot under his trainer, who has guided numerous Ghanaian boxers to world titles triumphs.

“My aim is to raise the flag of Ghana, and by doing so, what­ever I have to do to bring home a world title, I am ready to do because my coach has seen it all on the international stage.

“I know the featherweight division is tough, but I don’t fear anyone in the division, and they should watch out for me because I believe in myself.

“This is my 14th fight, but I promise Ghanaians that by my 16th fight, they should expect a world title,” he stated.

The last time Laryea was in the ring was against Isaac Dow­uona. He recorded a TKO vic­tory at the Golden Royal Beach, Accra, in December 2023.

Other high-profile fights on the bill are Chavez Barrientes vs Brandon Douglas, Deron Thompson vs Malik Lewis, and Alexander Rios Vega vs Felix Santana Jr.