Burns defends title
Ricky Burns made a successful second defence of his WBO super-featherweight crown against Joseph Laryea at the Braehead Arena as the Ghanaian retired at the end of seven punishing rounds with a damaged hand.
The champion appeared to be well ahead in an occasionally bruising encounter when the awkward African went back to the corner for a well-earned breather.
However, there was some disappointment when the contest was declared over with Laryea's corner claiming their man had broken a knuckle in his right hand.
Laryea, who had convincingly beaten South Queensferry boxer Paul Appleby at the same venue in December, had made all the usual threats and promises in the lead-up to the fight while the champion had played down talk of him becoming the greatest ever Scottish boxer.
Much was made of Laryea's ram-rod straight jab which had caused Appleby so much trouble and in an explosive opening he had similar success against Burns.
The champion landed with some good punches of his own and even so early it did not look like the contest would go the distance.
The Coatbridge fighter landed a terrific body shot in round two, following up from good left hooks earlier in the round but the challenger, who would occasionally swing wildly and erratically, kept coming forward.
By round six Burns looked to be ahead and the African's jab was having much less impact.
Laryea was on the receiving end of regular right hooks from Burns although it was a left hook in the seventh which got his fans on their feet.
Laryea appeared to signal to his corner that he as in pain and after an excitable exchange with his corner, it was announced that he would not be coming out, leaving Burns to take the acclaim of his supporters.
Date published :
12 Mar 2011 - 22:30:09
