Rayne, Louisiana’s Mason Menard won the biggest victory of his career Friday night (8.19) at the Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton, as he scored a fourth round technical knockout victory over battle tested Ghanaian Joseph Laryea to win the vacant Universal Boxing Organization™ World Lightweight title.
On a show promoted by Boxncar Promotions in cooperation with Big Punch Promotions, Menard improved his professional record to 17-1 (13), while former WBO Inter-Continental Champion Laryea dropped to 14-6 (11).
In his last bout prior to facing Menard, Laryea lost by TKO 7 in a WBO World title fight to Ricky Burns in Scotland, so getting the job done quicker is a significant achievement by the 22-year-old from Rayne.
Menard fought in his typical all-action pressure style, and took the fight to Laryea from the start, landing with quick combinations to body and head. Laryea tried to make it his fight by keeping his distance and using his range to outbox Menard from a distance, but Menard often managed to get under his opponents straight punches to land his shots.
With a near sellout crowd cheering him on, Menard fought an excellent fight and did a nice job of following the game plan laid out by trainer and manager Chad Broussard. Menard clearly landed the more telling blows, but Laryea was always dangerous and his significant power in both hands kept things interesting even as the local favorite was outworking the African visitor.
But as early as the third round it looked like it would be a long night for Laryea, and he was having a hard time keeping his opponent at bay. Menard continued to shift from body to head with lightning quick combinations, and Laryea didn’t seem to have any answers for the speed.
After four rounds of sharing the ring with Mason Menard, Joseph Laryea’s corner informed the referee of a hand injury which forced him to retire on his stool, As the fanatical crowd went wild, Mason Menard had realized his childhood dream of becoming World Champion and sends a statement to the boxing world. He has arrived!
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