Ghana’s featherweight sensation John “Abaja” Laryea is officially packing his bags for the most daring and dangerous assignment of his professional career.
The undefeated two-time WBO Africa Featherweight Champion (17-0-1, 13 KOs) is set to step directly into hostile territory when he squares off against Argentina’s highly-rated Adrian Maximiliano Robledo (13-1, 5 KOs) at the Casino Buenos Aires on August 15, 2026.
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
For Laryea, nicknamed the “Expensive Boxer”, this fight represents a massive leap in terms of career risk. While he has comfortably dominated local and continental opposition at the Bukom Boxing Arena including hard-fought wins over the likes of Holy Dorgbetor and Lazarus Namalambo, taking on a local favorite in South America is a different beast entirely.
Boxing pundits have already pointed out that to win in Argentina, Laryea can not leave the decision in the hands of local judges. He must bring his own referee: a devastating knockout.
Fortunately, Laryea is no stranger to travelling. He put the featherweight division on notice in late 2024 with a spectacular, dominant US debut in Orlando, Florida, systematically dismantling Nicaragua’s tough Alexander Mejia over eight rounds. That performance proved Laryea’s fan-friendly, pressure-cooking style translates perfectly to international television.
The Danger: Adrian Robledo
In Robledo, Laryea faces a rugged 28-year-old technician who knows exactly how to win in front of his home crowd.
Aside from a single speedbump in mid-2024 against Braian Ariel Arguello, Robledo has been on a tear, previously capturing the vacant WBO Latino Featherweight title. He is durable, fights with classic Argentine tenacity, and is fresh off a victory over Diego Alberto Ruiz in May 2026.
The World Title Roadmap
Laryea is jointly managed by Baby Jet Promotions (led by Samuel Anim Addo), Bronx Boxing Promotions (under veteran trainer Carl Lokko), and international manager Peter Kahn of Fight Game Advisors. The collective goal of this powerhouse management team has always been singular: positioning the 24-year-old Bukom native for a shot at a major world title.
Currently highly ranked by the WBO, a clinical victory over Robledo in Buenos Aires would heavily validate Laryea’s status as a genuine world title contender and put the division’s champions on high alert.
With Coach Carl Lokko masterminding the game plan in the gym, “Abaja” is currently wrapping up the final phase of his training camp.
On August 15, the talking stops. Bukom’s favourite son goes behind enemy lines to prove he is truly “Expensive.”