The classy Cook remains unbeaten

The Essex fighter took his unblemished record to 22 wins, 13 by knockouts, with a solid and controlled display against an opponent lacking in style.

Cook was in charge at Bethnal Green's York Hall from the first bell and was more than equal to anything his African opponent could throw at him.

He sustained a cut close to his right eye in the fifth round but was never seriously troubled by the lively Laryea, winning the judges' verdict 119-110.

On the same bill, Esham Pickering defended his Commonwealth super-bantamweight title with a seventh-round stoppage of another Ghanaian, Alfred Tetteh.

The Nottinghamshire fighter made an uncertain start, taking several heavy rights from the dangerous Tetteh in the opening round.

But once he stepped back to lure his opponent into errors, Pickering grew in confidence.

The fight was halted after a minute and 12 seconds of the round seven when a Pickering uppercut to the chin sent Tetteh sprawling.

He was on his feet at the count of eight, but the referee decided the challenger was not in a fit state to continue.