Laryea being decorated with the title (belt) by WBO Africa Executive Samir Captan
New World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Featherweight champion, John Laryea, has stated that dominating his division remains his primary focus after his definite win over Namibia’s Sebastianus Nataneal in their WBO Africa featherweight championship on Friday.
The big win-a fourth round Technical Knockout silences the many who before the clash doubted his capabilities, and he has vowed to reach greater heights.
Laryea (9-0-1, 7 KOs) succeeded in landing a big right in round three which opened a cut just above the right eye of Nataneal (14-3, 7 KOs) resulting in the champion bleeding.
He said at the Bukom Boxing Arena after the bout, “I am happy that I made every member of my team proud despite so many people saying I wasn’t ready for this challenge.”
The undefeated boxer, managed by Sammy Anim Addo added, “I have to work harder in subsequent fights to ensure I successfully defend my title. This is the moment I have been waiting for and I promise never to disappoint.”
“I was not treated fairly at all because this is a professional bout and not amateur and cuts are normal,” Nataneal said after Beninois referee Adorn Bertin stopped the fight on ringside’s doctor Samuel Quaye’s instruction.
The champion added, “I was fine despite the cut and I haven’t seen anywhere else in this world that a referee will stop a fight just because of that. All the same, I want to congratulate the new champion.”
But Dr. Quaye said, “This is normal for fighters when they lose but I am a doctor and I have to do my job. I understand his frustrations because he was the champion and lost but the cut was deep and he kept bleeding.”
He added, “I have to ask the referee to stop the fight before it affects his brain, which might be dangerous. I did my job and every medical practitioner would have done the same.”
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum