by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 25, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports
John Abaja Laryea, widely known as ‘The Expensive Boxer,’ is set to make his U.S. debut on November 1 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, where he will face Nicaragua’s Alexander Mejia. The undefeated Ghanaian boxer, boasting a record of 14 bouts with 13 wins and one draw, views this bout as more than just an international opportunity – it’s a stepping stone toward a world title.
“My goal is to be a world champion, and I’m approaching this fight as if it were a title match,” Laryea shared in an exclusive interview. “Winning here will inspire not only my team but also other boxers to strive for greatness. I’m ready to surprise everyone.”
Laryea, now 22, was trained by Carl Lokko at Bronx Gym and was turned pro at the young age of 18. He has since trained with renowned coach Don Charles, who also worked with IBF World Heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. Laryea expressed gratitude to Lokko and his manager Sammy Anim Addo, who he credits with guiding his career.
“There’s no magic in boxing – the only magic is hard training,” Laryea explained. “At Bronx Gym, we train with dedication, which is why we have so many champions. We support each other and push each other to succeed.”
A two-time WBO Africa Featherweight champion, Laryea recently took down Namibia’s Nathanael Sebastianus, which solidified his reputation in Africa and has made it challenging to find opponents. He now sees the U.S. as a place where he can continue to learn and grow, competing with a wider range of challengers.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 24, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
The Black Sharks of Ghana secured fifth place at the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Hurghada, Egypt, with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Mozambique in the classification match. After finishing third in Group A, Ghana faced Mozambique, the third-placed team from Group B, in the battle for fifth and sixth positions.
Ghana took an early lead in the first period through Wise Nyamadi, followed by top scorer Alexander Adjei’s second-period goal to make it 2-0. Mozambique fought back, narrowing the gap before Richard Osai extended Ghana’s lead to 3-1 by the end of the second period.
The game intensified as Mozambique scored again in the final period, reducing the score to 4-3. However, Adjei completed his hat-trick, securing the win for Ghana. Adjei finished the tournament with an impressive 11 goals in four matches.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 24, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International, Other Sports
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou made a triumphant return to MMA after nearly three years, securing a dominant first-round victory against Renan Ferreira at the PFL Battle of the Giants. In his first MMA fight since defending his UFC title in 2022, Ngannou shared an unusual pre-fight ritual: wetting his feet to improve traction on the slippery canvas. The tactic worked as Ngannou swiftly took down Ferreira and won via ground-and-pound at 3:32 in the opening round.
The win was emotional for Ngannou, as it marked his first fight since the passing of his infant son, Kobe, in April. He expressed that while the timing felt early, he fought to honor his son’s memory and believes he will compete again, whether in MMA or boxing. Ngannou has one more fight left on his PFL contract, with the potential to earn up to $10 million.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 24, 2024 | Africa, Basketball, Nigeria, Other Sports
Ezinne Kalu, guard for Nigeria’s D’Tigress, has officially joined the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA). The club celebrated her arrival on social media, expressing their excitement for her upcoming contributions. Kalu recently landed in China for a short-term stint with the club for the 2024/25 season.
The 32-year-old, who previously played for Atlanta Dream in the WNBA and Oxygen Roma Basket in Italy, shared her gratitude with supporters upon arriving in China. Kalu, also known as “The Naija Queen,” gained attention for her performance with D’Tigress at the 2024 Paris Olympics and her history-making stint in the WNBA. She is the first athlete from a historically black college to play in the WNBA in over 15 years.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 24, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International, Other Sports
The 21st edition of the Africa Elite Boxing Championships opened with a vibrant display at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, DR Congo, on October 19, 2024. The packed stadium was filled with an enthusiastic crowd cheering and dancing, adding energy to the boxers’ commendable performances.
While the day saw many triumphs, it also brought heartbreak for some. Moroccan newcomer Amine Maarouf was overcome with emotion after losing to Mozambique’s Manuel Banguine. His tearful reaction, however, reflected his deep passion for the sport. Similarly, Senegal’s Diarga Balde struggled to come to terms with his defeat against DR Congo’s Apanu Anyosu, leaving him in a pensive state after the fight.
On the positive side, several fighters advanced, including Namibia’s Tryagain Ndevelo, DR Congo’s Malenga Zengala, and South Africa’s John Paul Masamba, who knocked out Gabon’s Sebastien Allela. With the competition heating up, Masamba is already preparing for a tough quarter-final against Zambia’s Emmanuel Katema.
Among the notable victors were Morocco’s Hamza Essaadi, Cameroon’s Martial Wouang, and DR Congo’s Zola Tulembekwa, who secured wins to keep their medal hopes alive.
