By Prince Dornu-Leiku: Ghanaian boxer Joseph Laryea popularly called Mandigo is so assured of capturing the WBO Super Featherweight title, he has sent out a plea to many of his countrymen to sit glued to their television sets no matter their location, so they can watch him win the title when he fights Ricky Burns at Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom on the night of March 12.
“He is strong, he can fight but when I am the opponent, he will run from the ring. He is not a toy so he will also fight but I assure my fans and all Ghanaians that I will not disappoint them. They should all pray for me and that night they should sit by their DSTV and watch me and I will win for them and the nation,” said Laryea who only last April won the WBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight title by beating another Briton Paul Appleby right there in Scotland, has pledged.
The desire to end up there in the ranks of the likes of Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey and the many others to bring world championship belts to the glory of the land is the inspiration and young Joseph Laryea, 14-4, 11 KOs, has been training fervently in Accra awaiting departure to the UK three weeks before fight day March 12.
“I give thanks and praise to God for the opportunity. God himself knows that I deserve this chance so he will give me the strength to succeed. I hope to emulate my heroes Azumah, Ike (Quartey) and the rest,” 24 year old Mandigo said.
Joseph Quayefio alias Coach Swiss, namesake and trainer of Mandigo says the boxer is in top shape and has been training 3 times a week with the main focus on instilling into him the skills and tendencies which made the legendary Azumah Nelson successful in this same Super Featherweight division of world boxing.
“We will stop him, we have trained very well since he won the WBO Intercontinental. We know that with the title means we have to forward, so we have not rested and he is in good shape.
“Its Azumah’s style we are using, standing right in front of you and jab. So Ghanaians should not be worried, I assure them we will return as champs,” Coach Swiss told SportsInGhana.com at the Sonia Boxing Gym in Bukom where they are training ahead of the big fight.