FORMER undisputed super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor, 19-2 (13 KOs), makes his welterweight debut as he takes on Ekow Essuman, 21-1 (8 KOs), in Scotland. Taylor hopes to kickstart a new chapter in a stellar career.
As Great Britain’s only four-belt undisputed titleholder, Josh Taylor’s place among the British greats is already cemented. However, the respect that the rangy 140-pound conqueror longs for does seem lost among some fans.
Now fighting under the Queensberry banner and up at a new weight, multi-divisional championship status could see Taylor finally get the recognition that he deserves. That said, Saturday’s debut at the weight will be no walk in the park.
Boxing News takes a closer look at how Taylor should approach the fight to begin life at 147 pounds in style and how Essuman can spoil the plans of ‘The Tartan Tornado’.
JOSH TAYLOR – KEYS TO VICTORY
OUTPUT
Although Essuman is not an established world-level operator, his swarming style means that Taylor is open to being overwhelmed if he does not throw enough punches.
In his controversial split decision win over Jack Catterall, Taylor threw just 306 punches and landed only 73. Against Teofimo Lopez, the Scotsman threw only 341 and scored with 82 shots.
Meanwhile, the rematch with Catterall last time out was an improvement from Taylor despite defeat, throwing nearly 500 and landing with 162 blows.
With Essuman, he is in there with an opponent who is sure to meet him in the middle of the ring. Maintaining a high output will be key to banking rounds in case the clash goes to the judges.
FOOTWORK
Whilst Essuman will presumably put Taylor on the back foot, the 34-year-old can fight going backwards. His superior footwork will enable him to create openings and angles that allow for an in-and-out approach to avoid danger but land consequential and eye-catching punches.
A former Commonwealth champion, the East Lothian-born southpaw has the amateur pedigree to back up his skill level and may be better suited to box in an amateur style than to go toe-to-toe with Essuman.
LEAD RIGHT HAND
Finally, Taylor can also keep Essuman off of him by utilising the lead right hand, a key ingredient in mastering the southpaw style, which Taylor perfected during his best years.
Poking, prodding, and persistently keeping the right hand in Essuman’s face is sure to not only aggravate the Botswanan native but also make him think about what is coming back, exhausting his rival mentally as well as physically.
EKOW ESSUMAN – KEYS TO VICTORY
USE THE ENGINE
Essuman is not nicknamed ‘The Engine’ for no reason. Proven as a 12-round fighter and relentlessly front-footed until the final bell, a 10-round contest here should mean the former British and current European welterweight champion has plenty in the tank in the latter stages of the bout.
Taylor has fought just three times in four years and suffered a variety of injuries during that time. Essuman has fought eight times across that same spell.
Although fighting 10 rounds rather than 12 will reduce the impact of this, Essuman is sure to be the more comfortable of the two down the stretch, especially if he is able to set the pace for a physically enduring contest from the get-go.
ROUGH HIM UP
When fighters move up in weight, the more natural campaigners often seek to give them a rude awakening to life in a new division and physically impose themselves on the newcomer.
That should be no different here, with Taylor often being the inflictor rather than the recipient and using his size to his advantage in the super-lightweight division.
Taylor will boast no such advantages here and could be left wanting if he fights with his usual style and attempts to bully Essuman around the ring. Ekow is more than capable of outmuscling Taylor in the clinches and giving him a taste of his own medicine.
SELF BELIEF
Tasked with overcoming one of Britain’s all-time greats on away soil, it would be easy for Essuman to become overawed and intimidated by the occasion.
However, there are questions about Taylor’s vulnerability that should be answered, and Essuman is certainly a challenger who can capitalise on any below-par display from the home fighter.
At 36 years old, this is likely Essuman’s only hope of mounting a world title charge in his professional career. Wholehearted determination, hunger, and self-belief against a man who has already achieved boxing’s greatest honour could see Essuman spring the upset.
