Lawrence Carl Lokko, trainer of national featherweight title, John ‘Expensive’ Laryea, says he decided to turn the boxer into a professional at a tender age because he saw something special in him.

Coach Lokko explained that he did not want to waste the talent he saw in Laryea at the amateur ranks, hence the decision to turn him into a professional boxer.

Laryea became a professional at age 18 to the surprise of many boxing enthusiasts who felt he was being rushed by his trainer.

But commenting on Laryea’s rise since turning professional in 2018, Coach Lokko, who nurtured the careers of Richard Commey and Duke Micah, said it was important to discover talents at very tender ages as a trainer in order to offer them the right guidance.

“As a trainer, you should have an eye for spotting talents and that was exactly what I did with Laryea,” Coach Lokko told Graphic Sports.

“I saw something great in him and decided not to waste his talent at the amateur ranks and I am glad he is proving himself to Ghanaians.”

Laryea is billed to slug it out with Namibia’s Sebastian Nathaneal for the World Boxing Ogranisation (WBO) featherweight title at the Bukom Boxing Arena on July 30.

Having won eight fights and drawn once in nine professional bouts, Laryea holds the national featherweight title after beating Kamarudeen Boyefio last March.

When asked about the readiness of his fighter ahead of the continental clash, Coach Lokko noted that Laryea had had a tremendous training regimen, which he said, would pay off on July 30.

He said he was confident his fighter would come out victorious against Nathaneal and called on Ghanaians to expect the WBO African title after the bout.

“He is ready for the fight and he has proved that by winning the national championship. His training has been tremendous and I believe it will pay off on July 30.

“All I can say is that Ghanaians should expect the WBO title after the fight because Laryea is ready to clinch it,” Coach Lokko stressed.