Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman Preview
Josh Taylor and Ekow Essuman meet in an intriguing welterweight bout at the SSE Hydro on May 24th. Former world champion Taylor hopes to bounce back from a two-fight skid after intense battles with Teofimo Lopez and long-term rival Jack Catterall.
Essuman faces a tremendous step up in competition and will be determined to prove that he belongs with the best in the division. Can he get the biggest win of his career, or will Taylor begin the fight back to world title contention in Glasgow?
Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman Predictions
Fight Prediction: Josh Taylor via unanimous decision
One of our best boxing predictions is for Josh Taylor to win in Glasgow on Saturday. There’s a growing sense that this fight could serve as a significant moment in both fighters’ careers. While Taylor is the more accomplished and internationally recognised name, Essuman brings a sturdy resume that could make this a close contest. This fight looks poised to be a statement performance for Taylor. He will emerge victorious based on his superior skill set, ring IQ, and championship pedigree.
Josh Taylor’s game plan for this fight will centre around the foundational tools that made him a world champion: elite footwork, varied punch selection, and relentless pressure. Taylor is at his best when dictating the pace, constantly shifting angles and closing distance with precision. Against a fighter like Essuman, who relies on straightforward aggression and volume, Taylor will use lateral movement and sharp counter-punching to nullify Essuman’s rhythm early. Expect Taylor to establish his jab immediately. His fast, snappy lead hand disrupts his opponent’s timing and sets up his more dangerous punches.
The Scot’s inside game is arguably one of the most underrated weapons in his arsenal. Unlike many tall, rangy fighters who avoid the pocket, Taylor is extremely comfortable fighting at close quarters. He can land uppercuts and body shots on the inside, and he has a knack for physically bullying his opponents when necessary. Against Essuman, who has never faced someone of Taylor’s calibre or inside prowess, this could be the difference-maker. Taylor’s ability to clinch strategically, land short punches, and control his opponent’s posture will make it difficult for Essuman to work effectively when the distance closes.
Taylor has a big experience advantage and has shared the ring with some of the best boxers in the world right now, such as Regis Prograis, Teofimo Lopez, and Jack Catterall. He’s gone the championship distance and emerged victorious in high-pressure environments. This is a level of experience Essuman simply doesn’t have yet. The ability to remain composed under fire, adjust mid-fight, and maintain tactical discipline over 12 rounds separates world champions from contenders, and Taylor has proven that time and again.
Essuman has shown an ability to grind out wins with pressure and work rate. To cause the upset, he must make this a dogfight. Standing at mid-range and trying to outbox Taylor would be a strategic error. He doesn’t have the speed, precision, or adaptability to win a technical battle over twelve rounds. Instead, Essuman must apply constant pressure from the first bell, force Taylor onto the back foot, and attempt to drag him into exchanges. Smothering Taylor’s work, cutting off the ring, and investing in the body early could sap some of the Scot’s movement and slow his output later in the fight.
While Essuman brings grit and unbeaten confidence to the ring, Josh Taylor is the more complete fighter by some margin. His ability to control the ring, vary his attacks, and seamlessly transition between boxing at range and fighting on the inside will probably prove overwhelming. Unless Taylor has declined significantly since his last outings, this is a fight he should win convincingly.
Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman Fight Outcome
Taylor’s experience and ring IQ will see him through in Glasgow. His game plan will focus on footwork, sharp counter-punching, and inside fighting. The Scot excels in those areas. Essuman has yet to be truly tested, and this is a huge step up in competition. Taylor’s ability to dictate the pace and exploit openings with his jab and varied attack should allow him to control the fight.
While Essuman has an impressive record and brings pressure and work rate, he lacks the speed and technical ability to win a tactical battle. For an upset, he would need to turn the fight into a brawl, targeting Taylor’s body and limiting his movement. However, Taylor’s well-rounded game and big-fight experience are expected to be too much, likely leading to a dominant win.
Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman Betting Tips
- Fight Result – Josh Taylor will win: The Tartan Tornado is the odds-on favourite for this fight. A bet on Taylor is worth 2/7. The Scot is on a two-fight slide, but this level of competition is below the likes of Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall. He should win this fairly comfortably, outclassing the WBO European Welterweight champion. A bet on Essuman is worth 23/10 if you think he can cause the upset.
- Method of Victory – Josh Taylor via decision: This is the best way to back the favourite. Both men have decent knockout records, but nothing befitting a true power puncher. Neither man has ever been knocked out in their career. This fight will probably go the distance, and Taylor should outpoint the British fighter. Betting on Taylor to win via decision is worth 4/5 with our online bookmaker.
- Total Knockdowns – Over 0.5: Over/Under betting is always a good option for boxing events. Both fighters can put up great volume to hurt their opponent throughout this fight. Taylor is masterful at fighting inside the pocket. This is a different kind of test for Essuman, who has not fought anyone with the footwork and ring IQ of Taylor before. However, Essuman may try to turn this into a dogfight. A more aggressive Essuman could be open to counter-punches or catch Taylor with a big hit. A bet on a knockdown in the fight is worth 6/5 for anyone betting on boxing.
Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Taylor Recent Form
Born in Edinburgh, Josh Taylor turned professional in 2015 following a standout amateur career, quickly establishing himself as one of the top prospects in the super lightweight division. He burst onto the scene in 2019, capturing the WBC Silver title and later unifying the division. The Scot has won all four major world titles with a stunning win over Regis Prograis in a Fight of the Year candidate. Taylor also defended his undisputed status with a controversial but hard-fought victory over Jack Catterall in 2022.
Taylor’s recent form has been mixed, with his last few performances showing glimpses of brilliance but also raising questions about his consistency. He enters this fight after back-to-back losses at the hands of Catterall and Teofimo Lopez. Despite some struggles, particularly in the Catterall fight, Taylor remains a highly skilled operator, known for his elite footwork, tactical intelligence, and versatility.
He enters this fight with a professional record of 19-2, including 13 KOs. Taylor thrives in the ring with his ability to control distance, vary his attack, and adapt to different styles, making him one of the most complete fighters in the division.
Taylor’s Previous Five Fights
- Lost. Jack Catterall via unanimous decision.
- Lost. Teofimo Lopez via unanimous decision.
- Def. Jack Catterall via split decision.
- Def. Jose Ramirez via unanimous decision.
- Def. Apinun Khongsong via knockout (RD 1)
Essuman Recent Form
Born in Nottingham, Ekow Essuman turned professional in 2016 after an accomplished amateur career and steadily built a reputation as a tough, resilient fighter in the welterweight division. He captured the WBA Gold title in 2020 with a dominant victory over Darren Tetley, marking a significant milestone in his rise through the ranks.
Essuman’s recent form has been impressive, with a professional record of 21-1, including 8 KOs. Known for his relentless work rate and toughness, Essuman excels in grinding out victories with high pressure and strong stamina. While he’s not known for overwhelming knockout power, he wears opponents down with consistent aggression and solid fundamentals.
His strengths lie in his ability to maintain pace over the long haul, suffocating opponents with volume and making adjustments as needed. Essuman’s ability to apply constant pressure could be key in any potential upset, as he looks to make his mark against elite competition. Essuman enters this fight after retaining his WBO European Welterweight title.
Essuman’s Previous Five Fights
- Def. Ben Vaughan via majority decision.
- Def. Owen Cooper via knockout (RD 10)
- Lost. Harry Scarf via unanimous decision.
- Def. Chris Kongo via majority decision.
- Def. Samuel Antwi via unanimous decision.
