QUESTIONS arise after every major boxing event but last night left one hanging over the head of Britain’s only undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
Josh Taylor suffered another setback in his bid to become a two-weight world champion following Ekow Essuman’s victory over the Scot. Will ‘The Tartan Tornado’ carry on or will he retire after a stunning career?
While Taylor faces a difficult decision there was continued hope for some of British boxing’s stars of the future in Moses Itauma, Aloys Junior and Nathaniel Collins. But who will they and Essuman fight next? And who could Taylor face if he does continue to box? Boxing News looks at the options.
Josh Taylor 19-3 (13 KOs)
The 34-year-old has not been the same since his struggle against Jack Catterall during their first fiery clash three years ago. In fact, Taylor hasn’t registered a conclusive win since beating Jose Carlos Ramirez to become undisputed champion in May 2021. Against Essuman there were moments, particularly early on, when Taylor looked back to his best. As the fight wore on, though, he faded and took a lot of shots that years ago he would have avoided.
If Taylor does decide to get back in the ring for his 23rd fight then the Catterall trilogy may still be an option, particularly if ‘El Gato’ were to lose against Harlem Eubank on July 5. Alternatively, his team could look at opponents less problematic than Essuman but will that motivate the Edinburgh native? Whatever he decides his undisputed accomplishment should never be forgotten and always held in the highest regard.
Ekow Essuman 22-1 (8 KOs)
Carl Froch, Leigh Wood and now Nottingham has another all-action hero to cheer on in Ekow Essuman. He may be 36 but only now is he entering his prime. Essuman arrived on the big stage last night in Glasgow and now he has the opportunity to make a serious push for a world title shot.
Sitting at five in the WBO rankings Essuman could look to a title eliminator against either Frenchman David Papot (#3) or Karen Chukhadzhyan (#4). And on Essuman’s showing against Taylor he has the beating of both.
Moses Itauma 12-0 (10 KOs)
It seems like every time the 20-year-old heavyweight fights everyone talks about his performance. Last night was no different. Mike Balogun was nowhere near Itauma’s level but it was how the British contender dealt with the American which impressed the most.
Set to return in July in a ‘big fight’, according to his manager Francis Warren, Itauma is inching closer to a world title shot. Now the WBO’s number one contender Itauma must be let off the leash but against who? Martin Bakole has been rumoured. Number two and three contenders Filip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang should also be considered.
Nathaniel Collins 17-0 (8 KOs)
Just like Essuman there was another spotlight grabbing moment at the SSE Hydro from featherweight Nathaniel Collins. Inactivity and inconsistent performances were forgotten when ‘The Nightmare’ shattered Lee McGregor’s world title dreams with a highly impressive fourth round stoppage.
The all-Scottish scrap brought out the best in Collins and now the WBC #4 ranked contender can now move on to challenge more title contenders. Taking on European champion Cristobal Llorente is one possibility. A riskier move but one full of reward could be to bring dangerman Luis Nery to the UK or another all-British scrap against Liam Davies.
Aloys Junior 10-1 (9 KOs)
The new Commonwealth cruiserweight champion was at his punishing best last night dispatching of David Jamieson in three rounds.
Afterwards, Aloys told Queensberry media he wanted a shot at British champion Viddal Riley. That would bring rival promoters Frank Warren and Ben Shalom, who aren’t on the best of terms, to the negotiating table. Should a shot at Riley fail to materialise then Isaac Chamberlain, Jack Massey and Ellis Zorro could be names worth making an offer to.
