Former undisputed champion Josh Taylor (19-2, 13 COs) will fight for relevance and salvation on May 24 when he makes his welterweight debut against the European belt of the WBO in Glasgow (21-1, 8 COs) in Glasgow. The card current Live on dazn (22:00 hours locally / 17:00 et / 14:00 pt) of the Ovo -Hydro.
This is Taylor’s first fight in Scotland since the controversial Catterall saga, and this time there is no error margin. He is older, heavier and comes from back-to-back losses. Let’s see if the crowd still believes.
Taylor’s Homecoming: Redemption Tour of Retirement Road?
It was a long fall for Taylor. After clearing 140 with victories over Baranchyk, Prograis and Ramirez, he slipped into a mist of disputed victories, injuries and eventually two clear defeats – one to Catterall and another against Theofimo Lopez, where he looked like a ghost of his old self.
Now at 34 he walks into a weight class full of wolves. And they are not going to respect his past. They are going to test what is left of the present. Essuman may not be elite, but he is not a pushover. And if Taylor looks flat, tired or not interested, Glasgow can quickly become hostile.
It’s more than just a return. It is a career cross path. Win, and he might get another big payday. Lose, and the talk turns from “What’s next?” to “What went wrong?”
Essuman’s lap to ruin a legacy – and he knows that
Essuman is not here for the salary. Former British, Commonwealth and IBF Euro Champ rebuilt after its only loss of Harry Scarff last year. Since then, he has knocked Owen Cooper and Ben Vaughan-and he made it clear: he wants world level fights.
He has the engine, he has the experience, and he has already hit jaws in the ring. Danny Ball asked. Essuman is not afraid of Glasgow. He fought under the lights in Wembley and Manchester. The stage won’t scare him – and Taylor’s name won’t either.
If he wins he jumps straight into the WBO mixture at 147. If he loses close? He will still run out with more credibility than when he enters.
The unbeaten British heavyweight Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 COs) is back on May 24, with former NFL-Linebacker-driven boxer Mike Balogun (21-1, 16 COs) at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
Balogun brings size, not danger – Moses must tear through him
Itauma destroyed Demsey McKean in Riyadh in two minutes in December last year. Since then, fans have waited months for his next victim. Go into Mike Balogun: Southpaw, Tough Guy, stuffed record, and best known for being flattened by Murat Gasiev within six minutes.
Of course, Balogun has 21 wins, but we do not pretend that the names mean something. His last outing? A points victory over Lamont Capers – the walking definition of ‘safe opponent’.
He is a showcase. Balogun is here to eat bumps, try to clap and maybe survive long enough to test Itauma’s patience. If this is even possible.
Moses marches on – but real danger is ahead
Queensberry’s golden boy wants a belt. And with another dominant ko, he moves a step closer to a title -eliminator. If he looks sharp, you can bet that names like Hrgovic, Makhmudov or Kabayel start floating in rear rooms.
For now, Balogun is the speed hump. But itauma doesn’t just beat opponents – he wipes them out. And if Balogun becomes sloppy or Hanig for a second, he can wake up to the lights.
It’s no longer about proving himself. It’s about ticking boxes until the big fights land.
Event information
Date: Saturday 24 May 2025
Location: ovo Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
Starting time: 22:00 PM Local / 17:00 et / 14:00 pt
Broadconder: Live on dazn
Tickets: Ticketmaster.com
Last updated on 05/19/2025
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