Latest news with #TartanTornado
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who is Josh Taylor? Fight record, stats, next bout and more
Josh Taylor returns to action this weekend when he faces Ekow Essuman at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow this Saturday. A former undisputed champion at super lightweight, Taylor will make his welterweight debut after losses to Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall. As Britain's only undisputed champion during the four-belt era, Taylor is a well-known name in the British boxing scene. Catch all the latest boxing action on DAZN But just in case you are not familiar with the man they call the 'Tartan Tornado', DAZN News profiles the Scot, covering his fight record, career history, personal stats, and details of his next bout. Who is Josh Taylor? Josh Taylor is a Scottish boxer who has fought the entirety of his professional career to date as a super lightweight, winning the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles between 2019 and 2023. Born in Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland in 1991, the 34-year-old is stepping up a weight class for the first time to compete at welterweight. Prior to making his professional debut in 2015, Taylor was a talented amateur, qualifying for the 2012 Olympic games and twice reaching the final of the Commonwealth games, winning gold in 2014. Nationality: British Age: 34 Height: 5' 10" Reach: 69 ½" What is Josh Taylor's record? First trained by Shane McGuigan, Josh Taylor enjoyed a rapid rise in the professional ranks after a successful amateur career. By his seventh fight, he was competing for the Commonwealth super lightweight title, defeating Dave Ryan by fifth-round stoppage. Taylor began his career with a streak of seven knockouts, a run that ended with a unanimous decision victory over Alfonso Olvera in Las Vegas. The Scot's unbeaten streak continued, building towards his first title shot after 15 fights. In front of a home crowd at the OVO Hydro Arena, Taylor won the IBF super lightweight title via a unanimous decision over Ivan Baranchyk, his dominance clear by the two knockdowns he dealt his opponent in the sixth round. One world title quickly became two, when Taylor defeated WBA belt holder Regis Prograis via majority decision to unify. Taylor would defend his titles against Apinun Khongsong, before unifying all four belts with WBO and WBC title holder Jose Carlos Ramirez in 2021. In Las Vegas, Taylor proved he was the man to beat in the super lightweight division by knocking down Ramirez in rounds six and seven en route to a unanimous decision victory. A controversial win over fellow Brit Jack Catterall saw Taylor defend his undisputed status, but the southpaw would relinquish three of his belts in order to make a rematch with Catterall. In the interim, he fought American Teofimo Lopez in 2023, losing for the first time in his career via unanimous decision. That meant when Taylor finally rematched Catterall in 2024, he had lost his final world title, the WBO belt. Catterall enacted revenge on Taylor, inflicting the second loss of his career to leave the Scot with a record of 19-2 (13). When is Josh Taylor's next fight? Josh Taylor is in action this weekend, when he welcomes Ekow Essuman, 21-1 (8), to the OVO Hydro Arena. Taylor is unbeaten in five previous bouts in the arena, and will expect support from the majority of the venue. The bout marks Taylor's first fight at welterweight, with the Scot headlining the card promoted by Queensberry Promotions. All of the action will be shown live on DAZN, with the main card starting at 7pm BST. Watch the very best boxing with a DAZN subscription DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Josh Taylor hoping for another ‘big night' in Glasgow against Ekow Essuman
Former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor is looking forward to getting back to winning ways with a 'big night' at the OVO Arena in Glasgow this Saturday. Although born and raised in East Lothian, Taylor has often fought out of Glasgow since turning professional. He will fight Ekow Essuman as the headlining act in Scotland, with hopes of a victory after back-to-back defeats against Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall. With fight week well and truly underway, the pair faced off once more at the final press conference for Saturday's show, which will be shown live on DAZN. Taylor was in fine form ahead of his homecoming, having fought his last two bouts in New York and Leeds. The 'Tartan Tornado' was excited by the prospect of once again fighting at the OVO Arena, having already won four title bouts at the venue. Speaking at the press conference, he said: 'It is great to be back here and this has been my home since the Commonwealth Games. "I've had most of my big fights here, Victor Postol, my first world title against Ivan Baranchyk, so I've had most of my big nights here, so I am looking forward to getting back. It has been a little while since I've been here, so I am looking to put on a big show on Saturday.' Taylor's fight with Essuman marks his first at the 147-pound limit, with the Scot previously serving as undisputed champion at super lightweight. The added freedom of a few extra pounds has allowed Taylor to remain relaxed ahead of the bout. 'Obviously training has been gruesome and hard, hard work, but it feels like I am at holiday camp this week,' the 34-year-old explained. 'No dieting, cutting weight or drying out tonight, getting the last bit of water you can out of you. There is none of that this week, I am full of beans, full of energy with a spring in my step. I can't wait to get going on Saturday. "I will get this journey rebooted and kickstarted again. Take care of business on Saturday, do it in a good fashion and look forward to moving on to big fights in the future.' Having won all four belts at 140 pounds, Taylor felt that it was time to move up a weight class, despite loses to Lopez and Catterall. In fact, the Scot felt that he had 'completed boxing' by claiming the WBO, WBA, WBC, and IBF titles at super lightweight. He restarted: 'At 140lbs, what else was there left for me to do? I'd completed boxing in a sense and won every single belt in boxing you can win. What else was there for me in terms of challenges, setting new targets? There was nothing to do. So, what there was, was moving up with an assault on becoming a two-time, two-weight world champion. I am planning on taking this guy out on Saturday and that is what I'm going to do.'
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Josh Taylor issues apology for hasty Hydro exit after Ekow Essuman defeat as fans left to ponder one thing
The Tartan Tornado suffered his third consecutive defeat in Glasgow after stepping up to welterweight Josh Taylor has apologised to fans for his sharp exit from the Hydro – but the former undisputed champ is leaving supporters guessing about his future. The 34-year-old made a hasty departure from the ring following his points defeat to Ekow Essuman after stepping up to welterweight. The Tartan Tornado is licking his wounds following three defeats on the spin on the back of his incredible rise to undisputed king inside just 18 fights. Taylor paid tribute to the punters who have backed his charge to the top of the fight game. But he fell short of confirming whether he'd fight on. Taylor – posting on his social media – said: '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 television. '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's close pal and former world champion Carl Frampton admitted it looks like the end of the road for the Prestonpans warrior. 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. 'Incredible, what he did when he became undisputed 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.'
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Josh Taylor is all time boxing great but Tartan Tornado has blown himself out in push for summit
The Met Office describes a tornado as a rapidly forming violent vortex with destructive force that can destroy anything in its path. But the awesome power dissipates and it eventually fades away. There's no need for any weather boffins to suggest our very own Tartan Tornado looks to have blown itself out. Josh Taylor has been a whirlwind in world boxing. The Prestonpans puncher will go down as one of Scotland's greatest ever athletes, never mind boxers, and is up alongside the best ever British fighters. His legacy is already secured. Yet it now looks like one of the most punishing climbs to the summit of the global game has caught up with this living legend. Taylor ran out of puff and power at the Hydro on Saturday. Ekow Essuman was a dangerous domestic opponent but the kind of fighter the Scot would have swept away a few years ago. Instead, the 36-year-old from Nottingham – nicknamed the Engine – emerged with a deserved points win over the former undisputed world champ. Taylor was testing the atmosphere after moving up to a weight division to welterweight with a view to claiming another global strap. But it's hard to see him hitting those great heights once again. After three straight defeats on the back of the contentious victory over Jack Catterall, Taylor might feel he's reached a crossroads. Plenty will tell him it's a dead end. Taylor is his own man though and he's earned the right to go out on his own terms, if and when the time is right for him. Getting his hands on another world strap might seem unlikely on recent form, but a British crown? Absolutely. Whether the drive is still there to do it is another question. At 34, Taylor isn't getting any younger, but he's not ancient by any stretch. The trouble is, that ferocious tornado charge to the top has come at a price. No one – yes, no one – in world boxing came up the hard way like this tough as teak, charismatic lad from east Lothian. Taylor's rise to undisputed was incredible. In eight consecutive fights, he faced six unbeaten champions, the other two had just one defeat each on their resumes. Amateur to undisputed in just 18 fights, on the list of pound-for-pound best on the planet and his place among the global greats. It caught up with him though. And what is also now clear is that the run was as ridiculous as it was impressive. Taylor has been badly managed, badly advised and badly let down by too many people around him. Taking on high stakes fights every single time was admirable but lunacy. Taylor never had the luxury of tune ups or simple defences. It was deep end, every single time. He should have been knocking out the odd bum while appearing on the One Show. Instead, former boss Barry McGuigan wanted to race him up the rankings and Josh was only happy to oblige and smash opponents out of his way. He had the talent. But it was physically demanding. It's little wonder he went from two or three fights a year to just four in his last three and a half. Covid robbed him of a Tartan Army American invasion, injury halted his momentum and poor managerial and trainer decisions sent him in difficult directions. The original Catterall fight was a no win job that eventually became a loss after a rematch. Being forced to take on top level Teofimo Lopez before then with a nine week camp and a clear injury was promoters Top Rank throwing him to the wolves. Even this one against Essuman was another mis-step. This was a guy everyone knew was big for the weight and as durable as an old diesel. Sure enough, after some early slick stuff when Taylor looked like the Taylor of old, eventually the Botswana born Englishman stepped on the gas. By the end Essuman was stronger and fitter. Taylor's close pal Carl Frampton knew it going in. He said: 'You have to give Josh credit for taking the fight. 'Ekow is not the biggest name in the game but boxing people know how tough he is. 'Josh could have been excused for taking an easier fight to dip his toe at welterweight.' Frampton would admit afterwards – through gritted teeth – that it now looks like the end for his pal. The Northern Irishman knew the expression on his mate's face after the judges read out the depressing scores – because he's been there too. He knows when the mind is willing but the body refuses to keep up. He knew when his time was up. Only Taylor will know if it's the same for him. If it is, then he can hang up his gloves and hold his head high. The only British undisputed champ in the four belt era is some achievement and it will inevitably earn him a place in boxing's fabled Hall of Fame. But no one should write him off just yet if he chooses to fight on. Taylor's future is unclear but the Met office forecast for fellow Scot Nathanial Collins is much brighter. The 28-year-old is now on the cusp of a world title shot after his fourth round demolition of Tartan rival Lee McGregor. A year ago Collins was facing a fight for his life with a twisted bowel. Now he's earned a crack at the likes of Steve Fulton and his WBC featherweight crown. The Glasgow ace is storming up the rankings. It remains to be seen if the trailblazing Tartan Tornado is going to breeze off into the sunset.
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."
