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Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What now for Taylor after another defeat?
There was a moment late in the fight, after yet another attack had been foiled by the immovable Ekow Essuman, when Josh Taylor looked out into the distance and shook his head. Only he knows what was running through his mind in that precise moment, but you can imagine it was something along the lines of: "It didn't used to be this hard." Advertisement Taylor has spent the last four years desperately trying to recapture the form that led to him conquering the world and clean out the light-welterweight division. There were signs early on that the 34-year-old may have found some of the old magic. In the fourth round, he rocked Essuman and looked like he might be about to apply the finish, only for the gutsy Englishman to turn the tables and wobble Taylor with a big right hand. From that moment on, this first dip into the welterweight waters became a grisly swim against the tide, battling an opponent that just kept on coming. The Scot's face at the end – bloodied and bruised – told its own story, one of a fighter who has been taking too many shots for too long. Advertisement The question over whether Taylor should retire has been hanging in the air for some time and this defeat strengthens the case for the Tartan Tornado to hang up the gloves. Taylor's friend and former stablemate, Carl Frampton, told BBC Scotland: "I saw glimpses of real good stuff at the start from Josh and then it just started to fade in the second half and just, sadly, it looks like he's not the fighter that he once was. "That's what happens when you're involved in hard fights and you get older. It happened to me and it happens to us all. "It's a shame to see, a real shame to see." Advertisement Taylor cut a bemused figure in the ring when the judges' scorecards were read out, all scoring in favour of Essuman. When he has had time to reflect, surely, deep down, he will know he did not do enough to win. There has been some mitigation for Taylor's previous defeats, with injury disrupting his preparations, but this loss was not to a Teofimo Lopez, or even a Jack Catterall. That is not to denigrate Essuman, a thoroughly likeable man and a good fighter who delivered his career-best performance and victory. Having come into the lion's den and overcome the local hero, he deserves whatever opportunities that will now come his way. The Engine was viewed before the fight as a tough but eminently manageable first step into the welterweight division - and Taylor's first on the path to becoming a two-weight world champion. However, the Nottingham fighter had other ideas and Taylor's ambitions were left in tatters. Advertisement The Edinburgh fighter came up hard and he came up fast in the professional ranks, with some aggressive matchmaking fast-tracking him to become world champion in just his 15th fight, unified champion in his 16th and undisputed in only his 18th bout. It was a tough road that brought great rewards, but we are seeing the effects of that now. Very few boxers get to bow out on their own terms and time their exit to perfection. For every Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis, there are hundreds more who held on for too long, chasing that final moment of glory. If and when Taylor calls it a day – and most will feel that time is now – he should be celebrated for an extraordinary career most fighters could only dream of. Advertisement "He's someone who never got the credit he deserved when he should have had it," said Frampton, a former two-weight world champion who was the headline act on Taylor's debut back in 2015. "The guy should have been Sports Personality of the Year. "Incredible what he done when he won undisputed, who he fought to win it and how quickly he done it in his career. "But it's clear to see that he's not the fighter that he used to be."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What now for Taylor after another defeat?
There was a moment late in the fight, after yet another attack had been foiled by the immovable Ekow Essuman, when Josh Taylor looked out into the distance and shook his head. Only he knows what was running through his mind in that precise moment, but you can imagine it was something along the lines of: "It didn't used to be this hard." Taylor has spent the last four years desperately trying to recapture the form that led to him conquering the world and clean out the light-welterweight division. There were signs early on that the 34-year-old may have found some of the old magic. In the fourth round, he rocked Essuman and looked like he might be about to apply the finish, only for the gutsy Englishman to turn the tables and wobble Taylor with a big right hand. Shock Essuman win casts doubt over Taylor future Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport From that moment on, this first dip into the welterweight waters became a grisly swim against the tide, battling an opponent that just kept on coming. The Scot's face at the end – bloodied and bruised – told its own story, one of a fighter who has been taking too many shots for too long. The question over whether Taylor should retire has been hanging in the air for some time and this defeat strengthens the case for the Tartan Tornado to hang up the gloves. Taylor's friend and former stablemate, Carl Frampton, told BBC Scotland: "I saw glimpses of real good stuff at the start from Josh and then it just started to fade in the second half and just, sadly, it looks like he's not the fighter that he once was. "That's what happens when you're involved in hard fights and you get older. It happened to me and it happens to us all. "It's a shame to see, a real shame to see." Taylor cut a bemused figure in the ring when the judges' scorecards were read out, all scoring in favour of Essuman. When he has had time to reflect, surely, deep down, he will know he did not do enough to win. There has been some mitigation for Taylor's previous defeats, with injury disrupting his preparations, but this loss was not to a Teofimo Lopez, or even a Jack Catterall. That is not to denigrate Essuman, a thoroughly likeable man and a good fighter who delivered his career-best performance and victory. Having come into the lion's den and overcome the local hero, he deserves whatever opportunities that will now come his way. The Engine was viewed before the fight as a tough but eminently manageable first step into the welterweight division - and Taylor's first on the path to becoming a two-weight world champion. However, the Nottingham fighter had other ideas and Taylor's ambitions were left in tatters. The Edinburgh fighter came up hard and he came up fast in the professional ranks, with some aggressive matchmaking fast-tracking him to become world champion in just his 15th fight, unified champion in his 16th and undisputed in only his 18th bout. It was a tough road that brought great rewards, but we are seeing the effects of that now. Very few boxers get to bow out on their own terms and time their exit to perfection. For every Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis, there are hundreds more who held on for too long, chasing that final moment of glory. If and when Taylor calls it a day – and most will feel that time is now – he should be celebrated for an extraordinary career most fighters could only dream of. "He's someone who never got the credit he deserved when he should have had it," said Frampton, a former two-weight world champion who was the headline act on Taylor's debut back in 2015. "The guy should have been Sports Personality of the Year. "Incredible what he done when he won undisputed, who he fought to win it and how quickly he done it in his career. "But it's clear to see that he's not the fighter that he used to be."
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
What now for Taylor after another defeat?
There was a moment late in the fight, after yet another attack had been foiled by the immovable Ekow Essuman, when Josh Taylor looked out into the distance and shook his he knows what was running through his mind in that precise moment, but you can imagine it was something along the lines of: "It didn't used to be this hard."Taylor has spent the last four years desperately trying to recapture the form that led to him conquering the world and clean out the light-welterweight were signs early on that the 34-year-old may have found some of the old magic. In the fourth round, he rocked Essuman and looked like he might be about to apply the finish, only for the gutsy Englishman to turn the tables and wobble Taylor with a big right hand. From that moment on, this first dip into the welterweight waters became a grisly swim against the tide, battling an opponent that just kept on Scot's face at the end – bloodied and bruised – told its own story, one of a fighter who has been taking too many shots for too question over whether Taylor should retire has been hanging in the air for some time and this defeat strengthens the case for the Tartan Tornado to hang up the friend and former stablemate, Carl Frampton, told BBC Scotland: "I saw glimpses of real good stuff at the start from Josh and then it just started to fade in the second half and just, sadly, it looks like he's not the fighter that he once was."That's what happens when you're involved in hard fights and you get older. It happened to me and it happens to us all."It's a shame to see, a real shame to see."Taylor cut a bemused figure in the ring when the judges' scorecards were read out, all scoring in favour of Essuman. When he has had time to reflect, surely, deep down, he will know he did not do enough to has been some mitigation for Taylor's previous defeats, with injury disrupting his preparations, but this loss was not to a Teofimo Lopez, or even a Jack is not to denigrate Essuman, a thoroughly likeable man and a good fighter who delivered his career-best performance and victory. Having come into the lion's den and overcome the local hero, he deserves whatever opportunities that will now come his Engine was viewed before the fight as a tough but eminently manageable first step into the welterweight division - and Taylor's first on the path to becoming a two-weight world champion. However, the Nottingham fighter had other ideas and Taylor's ambitions were left in Edinburgh fighter came up hard and he came up fast in the professional ranks, with some aggressive matchmaking fast-tracking him to become world champion in just his 15th fight, unified champion in his 16th and undisputed in only his 18th was a tough road that brought great rewards, but we are seeing the effects of that few boxers get to bow out on their own terms and time their exit to perfection. For every Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis, there are hundreds more who held on for too long, chasing that final moment of and when Taylor calls it a day – and most will feel that time is now – he should be celebrated for an extraordinary career most fighters could only dream of."He's someone who never got the credit he deserved when he should have had it," said Frampton, a former two-weight world champion who was the headline act on Taylor's debut back in 2015."The guy should have been Sports Personality of the Year."Incredible what he done when he won undisputed, who he fought to win it and how quickly he done it in his career."But it's clear to see that he's not the fighter that he used to be."
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Carl Frampton casts doubt over Josh Taylor's future after shock defeat to Ekow Essuman
Carl Frampton believes Father Time has caught up with Josh Taylor whose quest to become a two-weight world champion began with a unanimous points defeat to Ekow Essuman on Saturday night. The 34-year-old former undisputed junior welterweight champion from Prestonpans moved up to 147lbs after losing his previous two bouts to Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez. Taylor's debut at welterweight against the 36-year-old opponent in the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, with the WBO Global Welterweight Championship up for grabs, started encouragingly for the home fighter. However, the contest turned towards Essuman in the second half with the judges scoring 116-113, 116-112 and 115-112 in favour of the hardy Botswana-born fighter from Nottingham. There will be questions about Taylor's future – his record is now 19-3-0 – and former two-weight world champion Frampton, an ex-stablemate of the Scot, weighed in. He said: 'I seen glimpses of real good stuff at the start from Josh and then it just started to fade in the second half and just sadly, it looks like he's not the fighter that he once was and that's what happens when you're involved in hard fights and you get older. 'It happened to me and it happens to us all. It's a shame to see, a real shame to see. But again, like I've always said about Josh, he's someone who never got the credit he deserved when he should have had it. 'The guy should have been Sports Personality of the Year. It's incredible what he did when he became undisputed [champion] and who he fought to win it and how quickly he did it in his career. 'But it's clear to say that he's not the fighter that he used to be. He just slowed down a bit and Ekow the engine, that's his name and he's fit and he's gritty and dogged and going to be there all night. 'This is what happens as you get a bit older. 'I know Ekow is older than Josh, but he hasn't been in the hard fights that Josh's been in and it just takes something away from you. 'I'm sure Josh has earned plenty of money and he's got a lovely wife, Danielle, and a good family and it's not up to me to tell anybody what they do with their life, but he's reached the pinnacle. 'He's done what no one even dreams they can do and become an undisputed (champion). 'No one thinks about that when they turn pro. He done it in a marquee division and he should be very proud of that.' PA
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ekow Essuman stuns Josh Taylor by unanimous decision in welterweight bout
Update: Date: 22:48 BST Title: That's all folks Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Josh Taylor's first foray into the welterweight division ended in a shock defeat by Ekow Essuman in Glasgow, leaving serious questions surrounding the former undisputed world champion's future in the sport. But the story of the night is The Enging Essuman. A determined and persistent performance, a terrific professional. 116-113, 116-112, 115-113, the final judge's scores - hard to argue with them. Read the report here. Update: Date: 22:44 BST Title: Will we see Taylor again? Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Carl Frampton reckons that may be the last fight we see from Josh Taylor. "It's up to him, but I don't think so," he tells DAZN "He was the elite of the elite, a superstar, and it's clear he's not the fighter that he once was." Update: Date: 22:38 BST Title: Crestfallen Taylor Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Update: Date: 22:35 BST Title: What now for our victor? Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Pre-fight, the chat was dominated by questions of what is next for Taylor should he win. Well, what now for Essuman? He says it's time to "take the engine on tour on the engine tour bus". Time for an even bigger bout in America? He certainly seems open to it. Update: Date: 22:32 BST Title: Essuman won 'in the lions' den' Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman The triumphant Ekow Essuman tells DAZN: "I'd like to first of all say a big well done to Josh Taylor, I've always respected him, he's a great fighter. "I've gone into the away corner in the lions' den. Thank you so much to everyone for having me. "I remember things from a long time ago, and we sparred a lot a GB, I put a lot of those things into this fight. "I adjusted [from the early rounds] and did what I had to do". Update: Date: 22:28 BST Title: Ekow Essuman beats Josh Taylor Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman 116-113, 116-112, 115-113. A unanimous decision from the judges. Update: Date: 22:27 BST Title: Almost time for the scores Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Before we get to scores, let's put on record how entertaining that was. Josh Taylor's early energy and Ekow Essuman's persistence throughout. A great match-up. Both fighters showed a great deal of respect as the final bell dinged, and rightly so. It was a thoroughly compelling fight to watch. Update: Date: 22:26 BST Title: We go to the scorecards Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro This will be close. A draw is not out of the question here. Update: Date: 22:25 BST Title: Round 12 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman "Take this round for yourself," Taylor's corner tells him as he gets ready for the final round. A legacy-shaping round for Taylor, regardless of what way it ends now. The home favourite is unable to reply back with the intent of the early rounds, while Essuman remains light on his feet and happy to remain coy and ready to spring. And spring he does. He takes Taylor back to the ropes multiple times, the Scot looks like he needs to hear the bell immediately. Taylor tries to muster a response and fight back into the middle of the ring, but it may be too little, too late now. It will go to the judges. Update: Date: 22:21 BST Title: Round 11 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Taylor spent a fair bit of that fight making sure he was simply never within Essuman's reach. Not as dominant a round from Essuman, but he probably did enough to edge it. Carl Frampton, speaking on DAZN, reckons he is probably now ahead, too. A different type of fight from the opening four or five rounds, that's for sure. It goes to the last. Update: Date: 22:17 BST Title: Taylor tiring Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro Josh Taylor looks like he's tiring and Ekow Essuman is finding success with that time and again. After one failed attack, Taylor shook his head in exasperation. He's in deep waters here. Update: Date: 22:17 BST Title: Round 10 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Oh my. Essuman comes out looking determined and powerful. Taylor is on the ropes for a lot of the tenth round. Essuman produces a few stinging combinations into Taylor's body. But here comes Taylor. Out of nowhere, he leads Essuman into the middle of the ring and fires off a fast right hook, followed by a powerful left to the body. He shifted his feet well there to create the angle. Essuman breaks clean and bounces on his toes and lands a well-placed right as the round heads to the bell. A left hook is squeezed in there, too. Essuman is on top now it seems. Does Taylor have enough left in the tank to reply? Update: Date: 22:14 BST Title: Round 9 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Again, a closely-fought. Taylor is looking leggy now, and Essuman looks sharp. Not much of note there, a bit of a breather that whole round for both fighters in all honesty. A big three-round stretch to come... unless someone decides to stop it all earlier. Update: Date: 22:11 BST Title: Post Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman 93 - 67 punches landed so far in favour of Taylor. Does not tell the whole story of the fight, mind you. Essuman has landed a fair few significant blows. Update: Date: 22:09 BST Title: Round 8 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Essuman has found a second wind. Wow. He has an answer for anything from Taylor, and took the fight to him. A short right jab breaks through and gives Taylor a wee wobble, nothing too troubling though. Taylor does well as the round draws to a close, a theme of this evening. Close. Very, very close. Update: Date: 22:06 BST Title: Post Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Replays show the clash of heads was a bit more forceful than first thought. Aye, pretty sure that has caused the cut just above Taylor's left eye. Update: Date: 22:05 BST Title: Taylor cut Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro Taylor has a nasty looking cut above the left eye. That will be a concern for the Scot Update: Date: 22:05 BST Title: Round 7 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Quite a bit slower now. The referee steps in to tell the fighters to separate as they tangle up for a few seconds too many. Taylor has a cut above his eye now. There was a clash of heads in there, so it may not even have been a punch that caused it. That was a lot closer than rounds one through six. Are they beginning to tire? Update: Date: 22:02 BST Title: The Engine not going anywhere Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro The fight has tightened up a little after that frantic fourth round. Essuman looks comfortable in there though, and as his nickname "The Engine" suggests, he's happy to go the distance. Does Josh Taylor have another gear? Update: Date: 22:00 BST Title: Round 6 Content: Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman Halfway point... if it goes the distance. A few body shots, but this round felt notably slower compared to the previous rounds. Then again, we had five explosive rounds up until now, so that's hardly a surprise. That will probably be Essuman's round. A swift right hook caught Taylor in there amidst a glut of dips and dodges.
