by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 1, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International, Other Sports, USA
Bronx Boxing Club’s Coach Carl Lokko is confident that John “Abaja” Laryea has the discipline and dedication needed to claim a world title, starting with his upcoming bout against Nicaraguan boxer Alex Mejia in Orlando, USA. Lokko praises Laryea’s unwavering commitment to training and views this fight as an important step toward a championship.
Scheduled for Friday night, November 1, 2024, at Caribe Royale in Orlando, the match represents a fresh chapter in Laryea’s career. With a dedicated team, including Sammy Anim Addo, Emmanuel Quaye, and other strong supporters, Coach Lokko believes Team Laryea has the drive to bring a world title to Ghana.
Laryea, 22, hails from Bukom, a boxing hub in Ghana, and remains undefeated in his professional career with a record of 14 wins and 1 draw. Mejia, his opponent, has a record of 19 wins and 9 losses. A former nominee for Boxer of the Year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, Laryea is motivated and prepared to make the most of this opportunity.
Both fighters successfully weighed in on Thursday, and Laryea is ready to face Mejia with hopes of securing an inspiring victory for his fans back home
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 1, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports
After missing a scheduled fight in Germany, undefeated Ghanaian boxer Wasiru Mohammed, also known as “Gyatabi” or “Son of the Lion,” is set for his debut fight in South Africa. Titled “Unrivalled,” the bout will see him take on Kaine Fourie in a ten-round international lightweight clash at The Box Camp Body Sens on Friday, November 23.
Tickets are priced at 350 Rand for Grand Stand seating and 450 Rand for VIP, with complimentary parking and free admission for children under 12.
Managed by businessman John Marfo, who also serves as an executive board member of the Ghana Boxing Authority, Wasiru is eager to compete for a title. The former WBO Global Bantamweight Champion stated, “I want to go for a title; I’m hungry for it.”
His coach, Lartekwei Lartey from Fit Square Boxing Club in Accra, confirmed that the previously planned Germany bout will happen at an appropriate time.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Nov 1, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports
In a thrilling bantamweight bout in Accra last Friday night, Ghanaian boxer Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, also known as Theo Lopez, showcased the fruits of his recent month-long training camp in the British Cayman Islands. The 22-year-old, a former national boxing team star and recent bronze medalist at the Accra 2023 Africa Games, returned with a powerful performance against seasoned opponent Razak Nettey.
Allotey, who turned professional in July, entered his fifth professional bout with confidence, facing off against Nettey on the undercard of Fight Ready Promotions’ Fight Night event in Sowutuom, Accra. From the opening bell, Allotey dominated, applying relentless pressure through sharp hooks, jabs, and uppercuts, leaving Nettey struggling to keep pace.
The match ended in the second round, just 1 minute and 19 seconds in, after Allotey’s repeated body shots left Nettey unable to continue. Referee Nathaniel Neequaye Kotey called a stop to the fight as Nettey failed to rise from the canvas, sealing an emphatic TKO victory for the young prospect.
Reflecting on his journey from amateur ranks to the pros, Allotey expressed his readiness to take on top challengers in his division, both within Ghana and internationally. “If you want to be a world champion, you have to fight champions,” he remarked, thanking his team and fans for their support.
Allotey’s trainer, Coach Ofori Asare, praised the boxer’s performance and shared his confidence in Allotey’s potential to reach world champion status, emphasizing the importance of facing strong opponents to build the experience needed for future titles.
The night also saw other action-packed bouts, with Seth Gyimah, known as Freezy Macbones, achieving a rapid knockout over Francis Manda in under a minute, while military officer Elvis Ahorgah defeated David Okine with a fourth-round TKO. Former Ghana lightweight champion Nathaniel Kpakpo Allotey made a successful comeback, overpowering Kofi Ansah Raymond. The Fight Ready Promotions trio—Isaac Nshira Gepi-Attee, George Brown, and Prince Kamaldeen Mohammed—also secured debut victories.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 31, 2024 | Boxing, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has advised rising middleweight contender Sharaputdin Magomedov to “take it easy” following Magomedov’s bold call-out of former champion Israel Adesanya. Magomedov, who extended his undefeated record to 15-0 with a second-round TKO of Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308, claimed to be “the best striker” in the division and challenged Adesanya directly.
On his ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast with fellow UFC veteran Henry Cejudo, Usman acknowledged Magomedov’s impressive finish but noted the fighter’s struggles in earlier rounds. “He’s got great footwork and a unique style, but calling out Israel is a big leap,” Usman commented.
Cejudo echoed the caution, predicting Adesanya’s refined striking would be a tough match for the unranked Magomedov, who is pursuing the fight due to a shared history from their kickboxing days in China. Meanwhile, Adesanya, watching the call-out live, humorously responded with, “Keep my name out of your f**king mouth.”
While Magomedov earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his win, analysts suggest he may need to prove himself further, possibly against ranked opponents like Michel Pereira or Kevin Holland, before stepping into the octagon with Adesanya.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 31, 2024 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
Top Nigerian golfer Sunday Olapade, known for his remarkable prowess, is set to compete alongside Kabir Mohammed and 278 other golf enthusiasts at the ICMA Pro-Am Golf Open in Ilorin, Kwara State. This much-anticipated four-day event, running from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3, will take place at the prestigious Ilorin Golf Club.
Babajide Allen, the club captain, expressed his excitement, noting that this fourth open tournament further solidifies Ilorin Golf Club’s reputation as a premier golfing destination in Nigeria, drawing both seasoned professionals and avid amateurs. “The diverse lineup will showcase incredible talent, especially in category 1,” Allen stated.
The tournament boasts a prize fund of N15 million across various categories, reflecting ICMA’s commitment to advancing golf in Nigeria. In the professional category, the top player will receive N1.7 million, with additional prizes awarded in descending amounts for other professional categories, heightening the stakes for all participants on Ilorin’s renowned greens
