Latest news with #Essuman
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ekow Essuman warns that aggressive approach for Josh Taylor ‘might be to his detriment'
Ekow Essuman has warned former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor that searching for an early knockout may prove costly this weekend. Taylor marks his debut at 147 pounds by welcoming former British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Essuman, 21-1 (8), to Glasgow, with the pair headlining a card staged at the OVO Hydro Arena on Saturday. It marks the first time that the 36-year-old has fought outside of England. Essuman has certainly enjoyed what he has seen of Scotland so far on fight week, sharing at the press conference: 'Thank you to everyone in Glasgow for accepting me. Everyone has been extremely welcoming and it is a beautiful place. I am just happy to be here.' While many expect former super lightweight champion Taylor to be victorious in his own backyard, Essuman represents a tricky test for the Scot. , with Essuman taking no offence to the threat. However, the Nottingham-based fighter believes that he could take advantage of Taylor looking to end the fight early. 'That is the whole point of it, we're supposed to do that,' Essuman replied when asked about Taylor's comment that he was 'planning on taking this man out'. "I don't take offence to it, it is what it is. He's in my way, I'm in his way. Of course he believes it. He should. That is good if he wants to try and end it early. It might be to his detriment. We are going to find out on Saturday. "I came prepared for the best Josh Taylor there can be, so this is just confirming what I thought would come.' Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Essuman also touched upon the fact that he would be fighting in an arena filled with Taylor supporters, the Scottish boxer having won all four of his previous fights at the OVO Hydro Arena. He said: 'It doesn't matter about being his backyard or if it was back in Nottingham or in London. I don't have a lot of shows I've boxed on in my home city, like big shows, so I am used to being the away fighter. It is just same job, different venue.'
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Josh Taylor shows off brutal face injuries after crushing Ekow Essuman loss and explains why he stormed out of the ring
JOSH TAYLOR apologised to his fans and vowed to fight again after storming out of the ring following a nightmare homecoming. Taylor moved up to welterweight after signing with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions in a bid to revive his career. 2 Ekow Essuman defeated Josh Taylor on points Credit: SNS But in his first fight back in a year, the Scottish great was handed a humbling points loss against Ekow Essuman in Glasgow. The ex-undisputed world champion refused to stick around to congratulate Essuman and thank the 13,000 who came out in support. But Taylor, fuming with the scorecards, posted: "I would just like to apologise to all the fans last night for leaving the ring before having an interview and before taking the time to thank you all for showing up and showing out, as you always have done over the past 10 years. "I headed to the changing rooms because I did not want to say something in the heat of the moment or that I'd later regret on live tv. READ MORE IN BOXING TAYL OF WOE Ex-undisputed champ Taylor hits new low with Essuman loss on welterweight debut "Your support means the world to me and you've created wonderful memories for me that will stay with me until the day I die. "You've all helped to create some incredible moments in my life and despite the result, last night was another special night that was right up there, so thank each and every one of you. "Thank you to Queensberry for bringing a big show back to Scotland and to Ekow once again on the victory." Taylor became undisputed super-lightweight kingpin in just 18 fights and found himself in the top ten pound-for-pound discussion. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But cracks in his career started to appear after a controversial split-decision win over Jack Catterall in 2022. He was then beaten by American Teofimo Lopez, 27, in 2023 before losing his rematch to Catterall, 31, last May. Hamzah Sheeraz opens up on sparring Justin Bieber in LA gym Defeat to Essuman, 36, now his third on the spin leaves Taylor's career in tatters but the southpaw insisted he will fight on. Sporting a battered face and swollen eye, the 34-year-old told iFL TV: "I'll be back to the gym in a couple of weeks. "That's the mistake I've made in the last couple of years. Got into that routine. I've had one fight a year since 2020, it's just not enough activity. "Congratulations to Ekow and his team. He fought a good fight, it was a great fight and I'd love to do it again to get it back. "But he's obviously well entitled to go and do other things. He's been waiting for his chance so he's going to want to look onto bigger fights. "But I'd love to get it on again and have another good fight because it was a good fight."
STV News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Josh Taylor bid to become two-weight world champion hit by loss
Josh Taylor's quest to become a two-weight world champion hit an instant speed bump with defeat to Ekow Essuman at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. The 34-year-old former undisputed junior welterweight champion lost his previous two bouts to Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez before making the decision to move up to 147lbs. Taylor's debut at welterweight came against the wily 36-year-old WBO European champion and although the Prestonpans fighter started brightly, he was slowly subdued and ground down by Essuman who won unanimously, the judges scoring 116-113, 116-112 and 115-112. Up for grabs was the vacant WBO Global Welterweight Championship and the Glasgow arena rocked with enthusiasm at the first bell. Botswana-born Essuman, who fights out of Nottingham, was immediately stalked by the Scotsman and a left hand found the target to further cheers from the supportive home crowd. Taylor kept on the front foot, his jab controlling the distance but he was put under pressure for a spell in the third round as Essuman showed his wares for the first time which had the crowd gasping in some surprise. Taylor was soon back in the ascendancy and several more lefts got through the guard. Essuman was sent against the ropes by a swift Taylor attack but he instantly responded with powerful shots which had the Scot reeling against the ropes. Round five saw grappling between the two fighters for the first time really while Essuman appeared to be growing in confidence and belief, a sturdy right hand catching his opponent while backed against the ropes. It was Taylor's turn to backpedal as Essuman moved forward slowly with menace and notably the crowd had quietened. Essuman continued to work diligently on Taylor, who looked to be slowing down, certainly lacking the earlier zip and his left eye looked to have opened up from a clash of heads. By round eight, Taylor's fans realised he was in a real tough encounter. Essuman, remaining calm and calculated with his defence on point, was finding gaps in Taylor's defence, especially with his ramrod right hand, which landed again in the ninth round and in the next round the Prestonpans boxer again found himself on the ropes taking some brief punishment. The crowd tried to rally Taylor but it was Essuman who finished the round with another flurry. The 11th round brought a couple of combinations from Essuman with Taylor dancing away to safety but the Nottingham fighter certainly seemed to finish the bout stronger to send the Scotsman back to the drawing board. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Josh Taylor STUNNED by Ekow Essuman as he loses big comeback fight at the Hydro by unanimous decision
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOSH TAYLOR'S career is in tatters as he was well beaten on his homecoming by journeyman Ekow Essuman. The former undisputed world champion was fighting at Glasgow's Hydro for the first time in three years. 3 Josh Taylor in action against Ekow Essuman Credit: PA 3 Taylor catches his opponent with a low jab Credit: PA 3 The fight was held at the Hydro in Glasgow Credit: PA This was meant to be the first step on his journey to reach the top of the welterweight division. But the man from Prestonpans struggled once more as he slumped to a third defeat in a row. Taylor had started well in the opening rounds. But he soon ran out of gas and was eventually overpowered by Englishman Essuman who got the nod from all three judges. It is hard to know where 34-year-old Taylor goes from here. And there will be calls for him to hang up the gloves after failing to impress here. Essuman is nicknamed the Engine. And he was still going at full steam in the later rounds as Taylor tired. A cut above the Scot's eye didn't help matters. But the Tartan Tornado could have complaints after been blown away by Essuman's strength. Eddie Hearn teases Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in 2025?! + Allen KOs Fisher | Split Decision | Sun Sport And he looked well beaten by the end after running out of gas. Earlier in the night, Nathaniel Collins stopped fellow Scot Lee McGregor in the fourth round of their WBC silver featherweight clash. The Bearsden southpaw will now look to tee up a crack at full WBC champion Stephen Fulton. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Josh Taylor beaten by Ekow Essuman on points in thriller as Scottish hero's comeback bid ends in defeat
Thriller wows fans as The Engine grinds down home favourite in Glasgow TAYL OF WOE Josh Taylor beaten by Ekow Essuman on points in thriller as Scottish hero's comeback bid ends in defeat Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOSH TAYLOR'S Scotland homecoming and welterweight welcome against Ekow Essuman ended in disaster. The 34-year-old Tartan Tornado was supposed to leap up a weight and dominate the 36-year-old Nottingham underdog. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Josh Taylor was caught by Ekow Essuman in an absorbing fight Credit: PA 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. 2 The pair slugged it out in a high-class contest Credit: PA
