LAST night Scottish boxing showcased some of its up and coming talent at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro but the evening belonged to a man from Nottingham.
Ekow Essuman yet again lived up to his ring moniker ‘The Engine’ by motoring past Josh Taylor in the second half of their main event to deservedly win the biggest fight of his career.
While fans ponder Taylor’s future the card provided plenty of action which gave us five things we learned from ‘Land of the Brave.’
Ekow Essuman is a genuine world title contender
Essuman was already a top 5 welterweight contender with the WBO before last night but lacked the victory to justify the ranking. However, his points win against the former undisputed super-lightweight champion now solidifies Essuman as a genuine world title contender.
The 36-year-old will watch WBO champion Brian Norman Jr’s next defence on June 19 against Jin Sasaki with great interest. Essuman made it clear in his post-fight interview that he wanted a world title shot and the victory over Taylor gives him a strong case for one.
Alexis Rocha, the WBO #1 contender, Sasaki #2, David Papot #3 and Karen Chukhadzhian #4 are all above Essuman but none have a victory as good as Taylor on their résumé.
Essuman’s work-rate, pressure, punch output and will to win were too much for ‘The Tartan Tornado’ and on last night’s evidence he’d give his rivals a serious run for their money.
Nathaniel Collins is a ‘Nightmare’ for featherweights
Nathaniel ‘The Nightmare’ Collins truly arrived on the big stage following his eye-catching fourth-round stoppage win against fellow Scot Lee McGregor.
The 28-year-old put his southpaw style and heavy hands to good use dropping McGregor three times. Ranked #4 with the WBC Collins can now look forward to even bigger fights as he closes in on his first world title shot.
Collins declared afterwards the win over McGregor was his best performance to date. If he can maintain that form then champions Nick Ball, Stephen Fulton, Angelo Leo and Rafael Espinoza have a Scottish ‘Nightmare’ on their hands.
Scottish boxing is in good hands
There was evidence on the Taylor-Essuman undercard that the next generation of boxing bravehearts can carry the baton and continue to bring big fight nights to Scotland.
Nathaniel Collins was the pick of the bunch but the debut of super-lightweight Reese Lynch certainly caught the eye. The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist looks like one to watch as does the careers of Marcus Sutherland, Alex Arthur Jr., Drew Limond, Lee Welsh and Luke Bibby.
While over at Boxxer, promoter Ben Shalom has Dundee middleweight Sam Hickey who could be a leading light for Scottish boxing in the years to come.
Aloys Junior wants to face Viddal Riley
The menacing 22-year-old overcame David Jamieson’s bravery to win by third-round stoppage and pick up his first professional title – the Commonwealth cruiserweight title.
Aloys’ power is obvious for everyone to see and the third knockdown was his best punch of the fight and one that left Jamieson flat on his back in round three.
Afterwards, he spoke to Queensberry and made it clear who he wants to fight next. “If Viddal Riley wants me I am here,” he said in a call-out of the British cruiserweight champion.
Asked if he would win it ‘clearly’, he answered: “Easy. He will try and f*****g run away from me but I will cut that ring off. He ain’t going nowhere, I’ll make sure of it.”
Better late than never for Aston Brown
Brown, a successful amateur, is making up for lost time and showed in his first-round win over Reece Porter that he needs to be moved on to tougher tests.
Troubles outside the ring are now behind him and while he may be 34 years old the Glasgow middleweight looks like a genuine threat to the domestic scene at least. Brown’s power and shot selection dismissed the challenge of Porter giving him the Scottish middleweight title – the first belt of his career.
Brown must be pushed hard and quick over the next 12 months. Time isn’t on his side but the talent is.
