Pressure On Anyetei To Defend Title

Only days after his conquest in London, new Commonwealth super bantamweight champion, Anyetei Laryea, is under pressure to defender his title.

Matchroom Sports, promoters of the October 12 fight at the Leisure Centre in Peterlee County, Durham, UK, proposed November 14 for Laryea's mandatory title defence, less than a week after the Ghanaian stopped Britain's Isaac Ward in four rounds to win the title.

The British promoters have proposed a fight against another Englishman, Esham Pickering. But Laryea's camp have rejected the demand for a quick defence and have proposed three months from now or look elsewhere for bigger dreams.

Papa Kermah, head of Landmark Promotions, who masterminded the title opportunity for Laryea and who watched the fight from ringside, said the notice for the title defence was short, considering the fact that Laryea had just come out of a championship fight.

“We don't think the proposal is fair because the title had not lasted even a week when they made the offer,” Kermah, son of legendary local boxing manager, John Kermah, said.

“The target is the IBF title held by Steve Molitor and that's where we are focused. But once we hold the title we have to consider the offers for defence, but within reasonable limits,” he said.

Kermah was full of praise for the boxer, stating that “he is a champion who has kept too long to realise his potential and dream and I am happy for him”.

Story by Michael Quaye