Shock Essuman win casts doubt over Taylor future

Ekow Essuman’s shock defeat in Josh Taylor’s first fight in the welterweight division in Glasgow raised serious questions about the former undisputed world champion’s future.

Essuman grew into the fight and came out on top to win the decision on all three judges’ scorecards, even though Taylor had the Englishman hurt initially.

The 34-year-old Scot’s career-best victory leaves him with questions over what lies ahead for him.

Taylor was looking to rekindle some momentum in a career that had stagnated after defeating Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas to become the UK’s first and still the only undisputed champion of the four-belt era.

He won a massive ovation from the Glasgow crowd, where so many of his greatest nights have taken place, and started off strong by catching his 36-year-old opponent with some good shots.

In the third round, Essuman capitalized on those skills and advanced quickly, sending a big right to Taylor’s head back and announcing his intention to fight.

The explosive fourth followed. With a peach-sized shot, Taylor reversed Essuman, who was then able to wobble Taylor with a straight right hand.

The pace slowed significantly in the middle rounds, but in the seventh round, possibly due to a head-collision, a nasty cut cut cut Taylor’s left eye.

In the eighth inning, Essuman was strong, backing Taylor up and filling in any gaps in his defense, encouraged by the sight of blood pouring down his opponent’s face.

The underdog was picking his best strikes, though Taylor’s more impressive work may have just overtaken the ninth.

As Taylor appeared to be tired, Essuman’s right hand repeatedly found the bullseye in the 10th.

The home crowd’s desire to rouse their hero for one last effort appeared to be crucial, so neither fighter could land the decisive blow.

Moses Itauma, a heavyweight prospect, showed yet another example of his extraordinary strength as he rose quickly. The 20-year-old forced a second-round stoppage after flooring American Mike Balogun three times.

The undercard featured plenty of Scottish interest, not the least of which was the eagerly awaited featherweight fight between Lee McGregor and Nathaniel Collins.

Glasgow fighter Collins dropped his Edinburgh rival three times, with McGregor’s corner clinching the end in round four, which was widely anticipated.

Reese Lynch, a former world champion at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, made an impressive entrance with a second-round stoppage of Jonatas de Oliveira.

With a devastating first-round defeat to Reece Porter, Aston Brown won the title of new Scottish middleweight champion.

In a four-round contest, former world champion Robbie Chapman defeated his son, also named Alex Arthur, to make his professional debut.

On the other hand, Drew Limond, the late Willie Limond, won. Ezequiel Gregores, an Argentine fighter, defeated the 19-year-old in four rounds.