John Laryea and Solomon Martey had some harsh words for each other ahead of their April 30 WBO Africa featherweight championship bout at the Dezone Beach Resort at Korlegono in Accra.
Laryea (10-0-1, 8 KOs), a former holder of the belt, vowed to reclaim the 126-pound title with an emphatic victory over Martey in the main event of a card promoted by Bronx Boxing Promotions. Laryea was stripped of that title due to inactivity.
“I want Solomon Martey to know that talking doesn’t win fights but I will prove myself in the ring by beating him,” Laryea said during a press conference at the Dezone Beach Resort in Accra last Thursday.
“He has fought opponents but I’m a different person altogether and I’m hopeful I will carry the night.
“This is a step in the right direction for me and I believe I will be a world champion in the future.”
Laryea’s words were corroborated by his trainer, Lawrence Carl Lokko of Bronx Boxing Gym.
“I don’t think I have much to do but we are trying to raise good boxers for the future. We are going to see a different side of John Laryea on fight night because he is ready to win the bout and I’m very confident,” said Lokko.
In response, Martey (13-1-1, 8 KOs) dared Laryea to prove his worth to him in the ring and branded his opponent as a toothless braggart.
He added that he has a brighter chance of winning the title due to his rich experience against dangerous opponents.
“He claims he is a champion so he has to show me that when we enter the ring,” said Martey. “I don’t want to say much but I want to prove myself to everyone because it is a big platform for me.
“I’m confident of winning the title because I’ve fought better opponents and Laryea doesn’t scare me.”
Laryea first won the WBO Africa featherweight title in July 2021 when he stopped then champion Sebastianus Natanael of Namibia in four rounds.
“We had a champion who was John Laryea but unfortunately there were problems so the title was declared vacant,” said Samir Captan, president of WBO Africa and supervisor for this bout.
“His trainer and manager didn’t want it to go so they decided to allow him to fight for it again and we are glad to give him another chance at the belt.
“I look forward to seeing both fighters give their best to win the title because it offers them the opportunity to be rated in the world ratings.”
