Former Black Stars captain and Africa’s all-time leading FIFA World Cup goalscorer, Asamoah Gyan, has praised WBO Africa and IBF Africa Featherweight Champion, John Abaja Laryea, for his commitment and discipline in the ring.
Gyan, who serves as an Ambassador for the Ghana national football teams and featured as a pundit on SuperSport TV during the FIFA World Cup, visited the Bronx Boxing Gym at Jamestown in Accra on Tuesday to observe a training session ahead of Laryea’s next assignment.
The unbeaten fighter, affectionately nicknamed “Expensive Boxer,” is preparing to face Argentina’s Adrian Maximiliano Robledo on August 15, 2026, in what is being billed as a significant step in his pursuit of a world title shot. The bout will take place on Robledo’s home turf in Argentina, adding an extra layer of difficulty to an already demanding assignment.
According to Gyan, his admiration for Laryea stems from the boxer’s coachability and his willingness to apply what he is taught in training. He also commended Laryea’s dedication to his craft, expressing hope that the fighter will continue climbing towards his ultimate ambition of becoming a world boxing champion.
Laryea trains under the guidance of Coach Carl Lokko at the Bronx Boxing Gym, alongside a stable of other boxers being developed at the Jamestown facility. Gyan’s visit was seen by many at the gym as a timely morale boost for a fighter stepping into unfamiliar territory against a durable and well-regarded opponent.
The former Black Stars talisman was accompanied on the visit by his senior brother, Baffour, and by Samuel Anim Addo, Chief Executive Officer of Bronx Boxing Promotions and one of Laryea’s managers.
Who Is John Laryea?
Full name: John Abaja Laryea, nicknamed “The Expensive Boxer”
Titles: Two-time WBO Africa Featherweight Champion; IBF Africa Featherweight Champion
Professional record: Undefeated at 17 wins, 1 draw, with 13 knockouts
Hometown: Jamestown (Bukom), Accra
Trainer: Carl Lokko, Bronx Boxing Gym
Management: Samuel Anim Addo (Bronx Boxing Promotions) and international manager Peter Kahn of Fight Game Advisors
Next fight: Adrian Maximiliano Robledo (Argentina) August 15, 2026
Laryea, who turned professional in 2018, has built his reputation on dominant performances at home, including a US debut win over Nicaragua’s Alexander Mejia and hard-fought African title victories over the likes of Holy Dorgbetor. He has consistently stated that his goal is to become Ghana’s next boxing world champion, and a strong showing against Robledo would go a long way toward validating his status as a genuine contender.
Source: General One