John “The Expensive Boxer” Laryea has accepted full responsibility and apologised to his team, supporters and sponsors following his disqualification in the ninth round of his WBA featherweight world-title eliminator against Argentina’s Adrian Maximiliano Robledo last Saturday.
Laryea’s unbeaten professional record was ended in dramatic fashion at the Cúpula Arena inside Casino Buenos Aires after Puerto Rican referee Janny Guzmán stopped the contest for repeated infringements, with low blows among the offences. Robledo was declared the winner by disqualification, moving closer to a potential world-title opportunity.
The Ghanaian had entered the contest with a 17-0-1 record and the fight represented a major opportunity to move into position for a world championship challenge. Robledo, however, gradually gained control, dropping Laryea in the fifth round before the contest descended into a series of fouls.
According to the official fight record, Laryea was deducted a point in the seventh round and was warned over other infringements, including two connected headbuts which went unpunished. In the ninth, after two low blows had gone unpunished, another low blow prompted Guzmán to disqualify the Ghanaian.
“I take full responsibility for my disqualification and I want to apologise to everyone I have disappointed with my actions and the outcome of the fight,” the statement said.
Laryea, a former 2-time WBO Africa and reigning IBF Continental Africa champ, also acknowledged boxing’s verdict, saying he respected the sport and accepted the result with grace. Boxing
He described the defeat as a setback rather than the end of his journey, promising to analyse what happened and improve tactically, mentally and physically.
“This loss is simply fuel for the next chapter,” he said, insisting that he and his team would return “stronger, sharper, and more focused.”
The defeat leaves Laryea with a 17-1-1 record and ends a major world-title opportunity, but his management insists his journey remains far from over.
In a statement issued by his management team, Laryea, 24, expressed gratitude to his team, promoters Legacy Rise Sports, sponsors and Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan, who had supported his campaign.
