Expensive did not stick to game plan – Coach Lokko hopes to come back stronger
Coach Carl Lokko, trainer of John Laryea has disclosed that their game plan against Argentina favourite Adrain Maximiliano Robledo failed to work last Sunday morning because his boxer was not following instructions and doing different things.
In an exclusive telephone chat, he said it was a bad day at the office and they will be back stronger.
“John was doing the wrong things rather than what I was telling him, and there was nothing I could do because he starts the rounds well but doesn’t end well”
At a point the celebrated coach knelt in front of Laryea to find out why he was not responding to their tactics and strategies.
Coach Carl Lokko, founder of the Bronx Boxing Club who led Richard Commey to win the IBF Lightweight title and handles many budding boxers really had a tough time to deal with in Buenos Aires.
He has however apologised for the lose as some devoted supporters and fans kept wake and did not sleep to watch the fight.
According to Coach Lokko, they have spent years to get this opportunity and coming out with such a performance to him was not the best, but in sports so many things can happen, just like the Buenos Aires Showdown, so they will come back and plan for the next move.
He thanked Legacy Rise Sports Promotions, former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan who supported him morally at the corner and manager Samuel Anim Addo for his inspiration and motivation before, during and after the bout.
John Abaja Laryea aka ‘Expensive Boxer’ was disqualified by the referee Janny Guzman after several warnings as he tried to head butt and punched below the belt.
His first career defeat at 18-1-1 leaves him losing the opportunity to crack at the WBA Featherweight title; however he still holds the WBA and IBF Africa titles.
He has also apologised and takes full responsibility of the disqualification. He said the setback should be a lesson to learn and a mistake to correct.
The win for Robledo (14-1-0-6, WBAF3) means he will now face the winner of Figueroa-Kameda for a shot at the title.
The celebration of boxing in Buenos Aires saw the honouring of Asamoah Gyan, founder of Baby Jet Promotions with a medal by the World Boxing Association (WBA).
By Sammy Heywood Okine