Ghanaian Featherweight Champion John Laryea Shines in U.S. Debut, Overpowers Mejia
John Abaja Laryea, known as the “Expensive Boxer,” made an impressive debut in the United States by dominating Nicaragua’s Alexander Mejia in a fierce featherweight matchup last Friday. The reigning WBO Africa featherweight champion set the tone immediately, knocking Mejia down in the opening seconds of the first round. Laryea maintained an unrelenting pace through all eight rounds, securing a sweeping victory with identical scores of 80-69 on all three judges’ cards.
Laryea fought on the undercard of the Jamaine Ortiz vs. Christian Ruben Mino main event at Royale Caribe in Orlando, Florida. Throughout the bout, he pursued Mejia relentlessly, showcasing his skill and power, while a vocal Ghanaian crowd—led by former football star Laryea Kingston—cheered him on.
Expressing his gratitude, Laryea said, “I’m very pleased with my performance and especially grateful for the support I received from Ghanaians here. The crowd gave me confidence and made me feel at home.” Reflecting on his U.S. debut, he added, “I didn’t mind that I didn’t get the knockout. I’m just happy to have gone all the rounds, showing my strength and stamina.”
Sammy Anim Addo, Laryea’s manager, confirmed that the young fighter would be returning to Ghana to continue training, with plans to prepare for his next fight in 2025. “He’ll start with a training tour in the U.S. before his next bout,” Anim Addo said.