Josh Taylor beaten by Ekow Essuman on points in thriller as Scottish hero's comeback bid ends in defeat
The 34-year-old Tartan Tornado was supposed to leap up a weight and dominate the 36-year-old Nottingham underdog.
3
3
But Ekow 'The Engine' put on a brilliant showing of grit and commitment to win a unanimous decision.
The Three ringside judges in Glasgow called it: 116-113, 116-112 and 115-113.
Scotland's former undisputed super-lightweight king raced away with the opener, jabbing Essuman's head but then brutalising his body.
Essuman enjoyed some right-hand success in the second but it was Taylor who was always landing the more punishing blows, especially to the torso.
Taylor shipped another right hand as soon as the third started and failed to box his way back the session.
And the fourth was a screamer as Essuman was wobbled by a left hand and then Taylor was staggered by a right.
A seventh-round head clash cut Taylor around his left eye and gave Essuman a big red bullseye to aim for.
And Essuman's scores and confidence grew as the fight went on, as Taylor kept trying to land a stunning stoppage and allowed his rival to snatch rounds.
The tenth was a brilliant round for the away fighter who was supposed to give Taylor a warm and victorious welcome to the 10st 7lb division.
Taylor stopped punching back in the championship rounds as Essuman exposed him with so much more energy and enthusiasm right up until the final bell.
3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney to take leave of absence from role after health diagnosis
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney is to temporarily step away from her role to undergo treatment for cancer. Tierney's diagnosis means health, understandably, is her top priority. WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and director of rugby Dave Reddin will step up to lead the organisation. They will do so at a crucial time for the game in Wales with a decision on a likely reduction of the number of the country's domestic teams set to be made in the coming months. Tierney's time away from the WRU will begin from August 22. 'This has not been an easy decision, but it is one I must make to focus fully on my health and recovery,' she said. 'I am grateful for the support I have already received from my family, friends and colleagues and I am confident in the team's ability to continue our work during my absence. I kindly ask for understanding and privacy during this time.' Tierney had been leading the imminent consultation period over the future of the professional game in Wales – one which is set to define how Welsh rugby looks moving forward. As such, she steps away at a key time. However, her decision is entirely the right one. Collier-Keywood said: 'I, together with the whole of the board and everyone involved with Welsh rugby, wish Abi well over this period. 'The WRU is committed to supporting her during this time. 'In my role as chair, I will continue to have overall responsibility for the WRU and in order to provide cover and give Abi the space she needs, will be more involved in the immediate future. 'Abi and the board have recruited a strong executive team which will continue to lead the WRU on a day-to-day basis. 'The most important topic on our agenda right now is the consultation on the future of elite rugby in Wales. 'This will be led by our director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin as a member of the executive and I will take overall responsibility for its successful delivery.'
BreakingNews.ie
12 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Marcus Rashford says Man Utd ‘in no man's land' as transition ‘has not started'
Marcus Rashford has described Manchester United as being in 'no man's land' after failing to commit to a clear strategy in recent seasons, claiming the transition 'has not started yet' under Ruben Amorim. Rashford, 27, left his boyhood club for a season-long loan at Barcelona last month, having finished the previous season with Aston Villa after falling out of favour following Amorim's arrival and a December interview in which the England international said he was seeking a 'new challenge'. Advertisement United laboured to a 15th-placed finish under the Portuguese head coach last term, their lowest-ever finish in the Premier League era, but Rashford said the club's problems run much deeper as they have tried six different permanent managers, each with a different approach, since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Rashford said: 'We have been way below where we deem United to be but then if you take a step back, which I've been able to do, especially over these last six months, what do you expect? 🚨 Rashford Ep is Now LIVE! 🚨 🏴 The 2nd English Player At Barca 👏 Getting Back To His Best 🤔 What Does Success Look Like? @GaryLineker & @MicahRichards is joined by @MarcusRashford in this exclusive interview ahead of his new season at Barcelona in the latest show below 👇 — The Rest Is Football (@RestIsFootball) August 13, 2025 'People say that we've been in a transition for years but to be in a transition you have to start a transition. The actual transition has not started yet. 'When Liverpool went through this, they got (Jurgen) Klopp, they stuck with him. They didn't win in the beginning. People only remember his final few years when he was competing with (Manchester) City and winning the biggest trophies. Advertisement 'To start a transition, you have to make a plan and stick to it. It's not easy to do. But this is where I speak about being realistic with what your situation is. We've had that many different managers, different ideas and different strategies to win that you end up in no man's land.' Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority share in the club in late 2023, his Ineos group has taken control of football operations and sought to implement a clearer plan. This summer they have spent more than £200million to bring in forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. But Rashford said United have forgotten the principles instilled by Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups during a 26-year reign at Old Trafford. Rashford fell out of favour at United under Ruben Amorim. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA. 'When Ferguson was in charge, not only were there principles for the first team but they were for the whole academy,' Rashford said. 'So you could pick players from 15 years, a full generation, and they'd all understand the principles of playing the Manchester United way. Advertisement 'Any team that has been successful over a period of time, they have principles that mean that any coach or player that comes in has to align to or add to the principles. 'At times, United were hungry to win… but it was reactionary. If your direction is always changing, you can't expect to win the league.' Rashford made 426 appearances for United, scoring 138 goals and providing 42 assists, but appears to have played his last game for the club, with Barcelona's loan deal including an option to buy which reportedly stands at 35 million euros.
BBC News
12 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Real worrying signs at Rangers' - what the pundits said
Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell on BBC's Scottish Football PodcastIt was a sloppy performance. They got over the line, they got the job done and that's what they were there to do, make sure they progressed to the Champions League real worrying signs there for me. They were very sloppy in possession last night, gave the ball away, turned it over far too much and allowed the opposition, again, too many hurt them, they got beat, but ultimately it was job done. But they're going to have to improve and pretty quickly as striker Steven Thompson on BBC SportsoundThe job was done at Ibrox last week and this team didn't have enough quality to pull it back, another team might have. Plzen gave everything, they were dead on their feet at the end of the game and they threw everything they could at it. If they could just finish they might have had a football writer Stephen McGowan on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast I think the worry is the level of the opposition. Rangers rode their luck against Panathinaikos, they rode their luck against Victoria Plzen at times. Jack Butland is there to make saves so we can't have any quibbles with that. I think the concern is that if this Rangers team goes into the Champions League trying to pass the ball out from the back as you do they will be badly, badly exposed. And that's got to be a big worry just Rangers midfielder Ian McCall on BBC Sportsound They're through, that's all really you can say about it. I thought when Lyall Cameron got his first goal for Rangers they would have kicked on but the game kind of panned out like we thought it will have a chance in the next round but they'll need to defend a lot better.
