The Tartan Tornado is set to begin a new chapter in his professional career. At 34 years of age, Josh Taylor will make his debut in the welterweight division, and he’ll do so this Saturday, in his native Scotland, at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, against England’s Botswana-born Ekow Essuman.
According to many observers, Taylor should have moved up in weight years ago. After an outstanding rise to the top that saw him capture all four world titles at super lightweight, the Scotsman experienced a noticeable decline in performance, which some attributed to the extreme effort it took to stay under the 140-pound limit.
Taylor’s triumphant run to the status of undisputed champion was particularly impressive, considering the outstanding records of the opponents he faced in quick succession. In fact, if you combine the records of the six unbeaten fighters he fought between November 2018 and February 2022, you get a staggering total of 133 wins and zero losses.
However, the version of Josh Taylor we’ve seen in recent years has seemed to lack some of the speed, stamina, and athletic sharpness that defined his prime. His 2023 defeat to Teofimo Lopez was especially concerning for how it unfolded: Taylor was competing on even terms up until the end of the seventh round, only to suddenly fade quite dramatically in the final frames.
Now, the Scotsman will look to benefit from the extra leeway his body will have at the welterweight limit, aiming to earn a shot at a world title at 147 pounds. The opponent chosen to kick off this new journey is not to be underestimated, but he also doesn’t seem like someone who should strike fear into Taylor’s camp.
Essuman is an aggressive and athletically gifted fighter, but he lacks punching power and therefore isn’t particularly dangerous. If Taylor steps into the ring in good physical condition, he shouldn’t have too much trouble containing him early and breaking him down as the rounds go on.