Josh Taylor returns to the ring of a long annual discharge in a must-win match against Ekow Essuman on Saturday, May 24, at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. Former undisputed lights welterweight champion Taylor (19-2, 13 COs) debuted at 147 against #4 WBO, #14 WBA Essuman (21-1, 8 COs). The event will be shown Live on dazn This Saturday.
Taylor’s returns
This is a battle that Taylor has to win if he has anything else, because Essuman, 36, is not the cream of the crop.
‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor has lost its last two fights, and fans doubt he has something left at 34. He did not look the same fighter, since he was once with Jose Ramirez in 2021 since his war. The competition took a lot from Taylor, who left him a shell from his former self in the last three fights he has had since. Josh’s record in those fights is 1-2, but it must be 0-3. His one win was a controversial 12-round decision over Jack Catterall in their first fight in 2022.
Taylor comes in the fight with a #11 WBC, #11 WBO rankings on Welterweight, but that means nothing. He performed a lot last year in his re -broadcast with Catterall and lost a unanimous 12 -round decision in Leeds, England. For that, Taylor was humiliated by Theofimo Lopez and lost his 140-pound WBO belt by a unanimous 12 round decision. Teo made Josh look bad in that battle.
If Taylor overcomes Essuman, he will be able to get some bigger fights against Welterweight against Conor Benn, Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. It is doubtful that he will get one of the fights. It will require Taylor to beat someone properly like Karen Chukhadzhian, Eimantas Stanionis, Shakhram Giyasov or Rohan Polanco to have a shot on the fighters. However, beating the guys can work around Taylor and scare them away. What may be necessary is that Turki Alalshikh takes note of him for the fighters to agree to fight him unwillingly.
“He didn’t fight for a year. It’s a battle for me, where Josh Taylor can show against a very strong, natural welterweight he’s probably haunting, ‘Gareth A. Davies said Talksport Boxing About the Josh Taylor against Ekow Essuman fight Saturday in Glasgow.
Essuman is the perfect style for Josh to show his old shape because he is someone who will be there to hit. Taylor does not have to look for him or chase the ring like against Cattle and Theofimo.
Big battles still possible?
“It’s an opportunity to show how much he’s left and how much desire there is. That welterweight section is a murderer’s drive right now, and there are a few golden spirits there for some major battles. Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia are the notable two. There are big money fights if you fight against the two, and both are viable battles for Josh Taylor, ‘says Gareth.
Benn and Ryan are out of Taylor’s orbit. Those fighters focus on larger battles. Taylor has to start from the bottom and work up to 147. He can’t be afraid to take risks against the dangerous contenders, because that’s the only way he can get fighters like Haney, Ryan and Benn to fight against him.
“He’s a Southpaw. I’m going to choose him on points because I think he’s very smart. He is going to get involved as IWow boxes, and box as I fight. I just think Josh Taylor has to pull out all the stops, ‘says Gareth. “I think Josh is good enough to show that he can do it at welterweight and have some big fights before hanging up the gloves. If he doesn’t manage, I think it’s the last of him. ‘
The version of Josh Taylor, which existed from 2017 to 2019, would make school Essuman look bad. He has not shone lately. Of course, one of the reasons is that Taylor is fighting against the smooth fighters, Catterall and Theofimo. To stand up against these guys would be difficult for everyone.
“Jaron Ennis is currently #1 in the division. Brian Norman is a champion. Devin Haney is in the division. Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. The division is on fire. So, if Josh Taylor won on Saturday night and rejuvenated. This is a section where he can end with two massive fights.
Again, Taylor will not get any of the big names to fight against him after beating the 36-year-old Essuman. He must do much better than it to land such battles. Whether Taylor can beat the fighters he needs to get the bigger fights is questionable.
Last updated on 05/21/2025
