Josh Taylor Loses Third Straight, Loses to Ekow Essuman
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Glascow, Scotland (May 25th, 2025)– Former undisputed World Super Lightweight champion Josh Taylor lost his third consecutive comeback attempt at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, getting outworked by game Ekow Essuman over all of the last seven rounds and losing a 12 round decision for the vacant WBO Global Welterweight title.
After losing his world titles to Teofimo Lopez by 12 rounds decision at Madison Square Garden in New York in June 2023 over 12 rounds, Taylor then lost a 12 rounds rematch by decision to Jack Catterall at First Direct Arena in Leeds in May 2023.
Taylor, now 19-3 with 13 knockouts, Prestonpans, Scotland, United Kingdom, won the first six bouts of his career at welterweight over mediocre opposition before dropping to the 140-pound super lightweight class. Essuman, 22-1 with eight knockouts, Nottingham, United Kingdom by way of Botswana, the WBO European Welterweight champion, entered this bout after winning three European title bouts in a row. Taylor won four of the first five rounds, then faded against Essuman.
Over the second half of the bout, Essuman drove Taylor backwards into the ropes, launching a convincing overhand right and good counters, which kept Taylor holding on with no real answer. Taylor landed 140 of 363 punches, while Essuman landed 125 of 494 punches. Power punches favored Taylor 117-115 roughly even in that category. Essuman was clearly the stronger aggressor over the last seven rounds, and outclassed Taylor at welterweight.
A head clash had Taylor bleeding from the corner of the left eye from round seven onwards, and with swelling under his left eye, Taylor was an available target for the consistent Esseman right hand. Essman had punch output, and made a favorable impression on the judges in that regard. The bigger question was why was Taylor venturing into the welterweight weight class against a most solid 21-1 opponent? Essuman went into the lion’s den in Taylor’s backyard in Scotland, and having done his homework, outworked Taylor in the latter stages of this bout. Scoring appeared neutral and fair. Inactivity ring rust appeared the greatest enemy of Taylor, with one year since his last bout.
Result was Ekow Essuman won by 12 rounds unanimous decision over Josh Taylor in 12 rounds. Scoring was 116-112, 116-113, and 115-113 for Esseman. The referee was Bob Williams. Esseman won the vacant WBO Global Welterweight title.
On the eleven bout undercard in Glasgow, rising southpaw heavyweight star Moses Itauma went to 12-0 with 10 knockouts, Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom, and retained the WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title, with a second round stoppage at 0:46 of Mike Balagun, 21-2 with 16 knockouts, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Balagun was down in the first round and twice in the second round. The referee was John Latham.
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