Joseph Laryea’s WBO Championship Test
On March 12, 2011, Ghanaian contender Joseph “Mandingo” Laryea challenged Ricky Burns for the WBO super-featherweight championship in Glasgow. Burns retained the title after Laryea could not continue due to an injury.
A different Ghanaian boxer, Joseph Nii Ashiao Laryea, was born on May 21, 1965, and competed at the 1992 Olympics as a middleweight. Joseph “Mandingo” Laryea, the professional boxer who defeated Paul Appleby, is from Accra. His introduction toboxing came at a young age, inspired by Ghanaian boxing. With a natural talent for the sport and an unwavering determination to succeed, Laryea embarked on his boxing journey, honing his skills and developing a fighting style that would later become his trademark – a powerful left hook complemented by relentless aggression and an unwavering work ethic.
In December 2010, Joseph “Mandingo” Laryea earned a decision victory over Scotland’s Paul Appleby. That result led to a championship opportunity against Ricky Burns, the reigning WBO super-featherweight titleholder. Laryea’s success against Appleby and his subsequent defeat against Burns illustrate the different challenges he faced on his route from contender to world-title challenger.
Laryea challenged Burns for the WBO super-featherweight title in Glasgow on March 12, 2011. Burns retained the championship when Laryea could not continue after seven rounds because of a damaged right hand. It was a title challenge, not a title win.
Five months later, Laryea challenged Mason Menard for the vacant Universal Boxing Organization lightweight title in Louisiana. Menard stopped him after four rounds; Laryea’s corner cited a hand injury.
Laryea’s International Career
After defeating Paul Appleby, Joseph Laryea challenged WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns in Glasgow. The championship opportunity ended without a title victory for Laryea. He also appeared in a later lightweight-title contest against Menard, extending his record beyond the Burns fight.
These results place Laryea among the experienced Ghanaian contenders who earned major international opportunities, though he did not win a WBA welterweight world title.
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Joseph Laryea, Boxing, Boxing History, Championship Results
