Undefeated WBO Africa featherweight champion John Laryea is expected to defend his title against Gabriel Odoi Laryea on Friday, November 11 at the Royal Dede Golden Beach Resort in Accra.
The 22-year-old Laryea (10-0-1, 8 KOs) won the WBO Africa featherweight belt in July 2021 when he stopped Tanzania’s Sebastianus Natanael. Now, he puts that strap on the line against a veteran in Odoi Laryea (21-5-3, 15 KOs).
“I am very happy to be returning and making my maiden title defense,” said Laryea during an interview with BoxingAfrica.com. “It is not going to be easy but I am confident of an emphatic win on the night.
“Odoi Laryea is a very good boxer with a lot of experience and I am confident he will give me a good fight next month.”
The bout is expected to headline a card promoted by Bronx Boxing Promotions, the outfit which promotes Laryea and is led by Laryea trainer Lawrence Carl Lokko of the Bronx Boxing Gym in Accra.
Laryea’s last ring appearance was a non-title affair last March where he knocked out journeyman George Krampah.
“We are very glad to have signed documents for the fight to happen on the said date because it has been long overdue,” trainer Lokko told BoxingAfrica.com.
“I am very confident in what Laryea can do in the ring and the focus is to have a successful defense before the end of year.”
Laryea’s opponent, the 32-year-old Odoi Laryea, has competed in one bout this year, a split draw with Solomon Martey in April. The veteran has lost all of his high-profile fights in a pro career which spans over 11 years. In 2013, the fighter challenged and lost to Briton Martin Ward for the Commonwealth title via a unanimous decision.
He was also crushed by Filipino Albert Pagara five years later before losing unanimously to Isaac Sackey in a WBO Africa super bantamweight championship.
On November 11, Odoi could make his final big appearance as a pro and must make it count if he wants to stay relevant.
“The fight has been postponed more than two times but finally we have signed the paperwork and everything is ready now,” said Ebenezer Adjei, trainer of Odoi during a chat with BoxingAfrica.com.
