Josh Taylor Upset in Hometown Return!

Josh Taylor returned to the ring for the first time after a 364 day absence. Making a long awaited debut at welterweight Taylor was facing a lightly regarded but capable Ekow Essuman. Despite being the odds favorite and fighting in his backyard of Glasgow, Scotland, Taylor was defeated for a third consecutive time. The decision was unanimous in favor of Nottingham’s Essuman with scores of 116-112, 116-113, and 115-113. The crowd did not boo the decision and the commentary team for DAZN agreed with the call. The future is looking bleak for Josh Taylor as retirement talk is the buzz rather than a triumphant return.

Taylor’s star was never brighter than in 2021 when he defeated Jose Carlos Ramirez to unify all four major titles at junior welterweight. He had also won the World Boxing Super Series to unify the other titles in the division leading up to the Ramirez fight. In that tournament Taylor defeated the top names of the division including world titleholders like Regis Prograis, Ivan Baranchyk, and Viktor Postol. Taylor fought with a thrilling style that mixed constant pressure with combination punching and he could be rough in there. Taylor was a favorite of the UK boxing scene and drew passionate crowds and delivered exciting performances. There was a time when Taylor was being discussed as a threat to Terrence Crawford in some online circles.

Taylor’s run at the top was tainted by a controversial decision win against Jack Catterall in 2022. The sharp shooting Catterall was able to slow the pace of the fight and counter Taylor to a highly debated decision where Taylor retained his titles. This was followed up by a long layoff and a devastating defeat to Teofimo Lopez. Taylor again sat on the shelf before being defeated by Catterall in their rematch last year. Inactivity and problems making weight became two major problems in Taylor’s career. The move to welterweight was a welcome development for Taylor who was looking to bounce back against Essuman.

After five rounds it appeared that Josh Taylor had made the right move and revitalized his career. Former fighter turned ringside observer Carl Frampton had the fight 49-46 in favor of Taylor and I had the same card. Taylor had brought the expected pressure, combination punching, body attack and the occasional sharp counter. He wobbled Essuman in the fourth round with a left hand though he was also visibly moved by a right hand in the same round. Essuman as early as the first round would land his right hand down the middle but struggled to follow up on his success.

The sixth round began a turn of the tide as Essuman began to find a home for his punches and continued to build upon his success. Taylor began to slow down and Essuman’s confidence began to build. Taylor took a solid punch at junior welterweight but found himself reacting and being shook up by flush shots from Essuman. The rounds began to develop a pattern where Essuman would begin the round landing a straight right hand and following it up with more straight punches through the guard. Taylor would back up to the ropes and Essuman would hammer the body with hooks using both hands. Taylor’s punches while fresh were not doing much damage and after tiring they had no effect. Essuman undeterred continued to press.

Taylor had a moment of success in round ten when a right hook caught Essuman by surprise. In the moment it looked like Taylor rocked his opponent and could turn the tide. Seeing the replays between rounds revealed that Essuman was less hurt than it appeared live. Taylor scored a few solid punches at the end of the round but it was not enough. Because Taylor had built such a strong lead early in the fight the ability to win on the cards was still a possibility. Taylor could not muster the strong finish needed to turn the tide and secure a victory. The twelfth round was very competitive but Essuman finished stronger.

Taylor had the look of a man who thought he won when the cards were read but he had clearly lost. Thirty-four is not old in modern boxing but Taylor looked like a fighter who can no longer do what they used to inside the ropes. Though he was never a one punch knockout artist the punches he threw did very little damage. Though he has never been Floyd Mayweather his defense was leaky. His biggest asset has always been his gas tank and his grit to rough out tough decisions and break foes down. These qualities did not shine through tonight as he could not maintain pace and got out fought by Essuman. Taylor is fortunate to not have been in there with Jaron Ennis and Brian Norman who have deadly right hands.

My thoughts following the fight are that Taylor should retire. I do not intend to discredit Essuman or his performance last night with my next sentence. If Taylor cannot defeat Essuman or a man of Essuman’s level it is time to call it a day. Taylor is in that unfortunate position of no longer being able to get down to 140 pounds and not being effective at 147 pounds. Taylor’s attributes relied on strength to out muscle his opposition and he had enough power to knock his opponents down and earn their respect. He could not do that last night against Essuman who is thirty-six and has not fought on the world stage. Maybe this is a wake up call for Taylor to get back on track. I read this as signs of worse things to come. Time will tell, hopefully I am wrong.

I spent much of this article talking about Taylor’s rise and fall but want to make sure I give Essuman his spotlight. Is this a high water mark for his career or the beginning of something special? Born in Botswana and fighting out of Nottingham, England Ekow Essuman debuted in 2016 and has spent a career at welterweight. His record is glossy though he has not fought outside of his country and though unverified does not appear to have defeated a world rated fighter prior. With only eight knockout victories in twenty-two victories it would seem that he is not a puncher. That said, his right hand is accurate and sharp but he is not an explosive puncher and seems content to land and wait for moments. He has dropped several opponents and broken the ribs and jaw of fighters he has faced. A quick glance at his record shows a man who has not tasted the canvas as a professional.

Essuman embodies a type of boxer I do admire, a workman. Essuman is not blessed with raw power, explosive athleticism or blinding speed. His nickname “The Engine” is emblematic of his style and proclivity to win into the deeper rounds of fights. Essuman is a well schooled boxer who depends on his fundamentals to out box his opposition. I admired his calm demeanor to also win from behind. Taylor came out and won the early rounds and an unfazed Essuman came back to win numerous consecutive rounds to edge out a decision against a popular champion with a raucous crowd behind him. Prior to last night Essuman was rated fourteenth by the WBA and fourth by the WBO. A victory over Taylor likely gets him into the WBC and IBF rankings and positions him for a bigger fight.

Jaron Ennis is the man to beat at welterweight with the IBF, WBA, and Ring titles. Brian Norman is his main contender as the WBO champion and Mario Barrios has been on a run that put the WBC title around his waist. Ennis and Norman appear to be the class of the division with everyone else at a tier below that. Ennis has been chasing big fights like Teofimo Lopez and with his difficulty making the welterweight limit it seems his reign may not last. Norman has a defense coming up in June and the Ennis fight has been elusive. Barrios is scheduled to face the returning Manny Pacquiao. Essuman will need to put together more victories to build his profile, secure a higher ranking, and get the fight.