John Laryea defied his family to follow legends from Bukom to America

To live on the streets of Bukom in Accra, John Laryea had to defy orders from his parents to follow a boxing dream at age nine.

It was not an easy decision for the youngster who endured hardship in the fishing community of Bukom in Accra – a community famous for producing several world champions for Ghana.

“I was a street boy when I met Carl Lokko and he decided to teach me boxing,” Laryea told BoxingScene. “Meeting my trainer changed everything for me.”

Laryea teaming up with Lawrence Carl Lokko saw him sleeping at the Bronx Boxing Gym in Bukom where he started learning the basics of boxing. Lokko is noted for guiding former IBF lightweight champ Richard Commey’s career to his maiden world title fight against Robert Easter Jnr in 2016.

“I’ve been training with Lokko since meeting him and he’s been a blessing to me and my career. He’s taught me a lot in life that has built my career to where I am today.”

Through Lokko, Laryea met his manager and promoter Samuel Anim Addo, who led him into a pro career at age 18 after a short spell in the amateur ranks.

“I was at the gym one day when my trainer told me to prepare for a sparring session with Emmanuel Tagoe the following day,” Laryea explained. “After that session, my trainer introduced me to Samuel Anim Addo as my manager and that kickstarted my pro journey.”

In October 2018, Laryea opened his pro career with a four-round KO win over Emmanuel Laryea. After an eight-fight winning streak, Laryea challenged Kamarudeen Boyefio for the vacant Ghana national featherweight title in March 2021.

That same year, Laryea became a WBO Africa titlist by dethroning Namibia’s Sebastianus Natanael in four, going on to make four successful defenses. Laryea’s undefeated status – his record currently reads 13-0-1 (11 KOs) – has earned him a US debut against Alexander Mejia, 19-9 (8 KOs), at Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida.

To Laryea, next week’s fight against Mejia represents a positive turn in his career.

“It hasn’t been easy for me but it is about to pay off now. I’m very happy for the opportunity to fight in the US and I’m ready to take it.”

Laryea, 22, is yet to fight this year after a TKO victory over Isaac Dowuona 10 months ago. With victory in his next fight, Laryea wants to announce himself to the US boxing market.

“I know my opponent as a very good boxer but I’m ready to come out victorious. This is the home of boxing and I know what I stand to gain by winning the fight against Mejia.

“Training has been very good for me and I believe it is time to make a statement with an emphatic win. That’s all I’m looking forward to against Mejia.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].