Ekow Essuman upset Josh Taylor’s homecoming in Glasgow. Behind a steady right hand, poise, and superior cardio, he handed Josh Taylor a unanimous decision loss (116-113, 116-112, 115-113).
Taylor looked surprised as the judges’ decision was read, but his team didn’t appear to share the shock, nor did the commentators on DAZN’s stream. The judges got it right.
Essuman was a bit out-boxed through the first third of the fight. Taylor’s experience and pedigree were on display, but he seemed to gas midway through the fight and was only able to compete in spurts.
Taylor’s defense also seemed to betray him throughout the fight. Specifically, his left hand was consistently too low or too wide. It left openings for Essuman’s right hand straight up the middle or around the lazy guard.
Essuman rode these openings to the victory.
Here is a look at how I scored the fight.
Taylor vs. Essuman – Mazique’s Scorecard:
R1: 10-9 | R2: 10-9 | R3: 9-10 | R4: 9-10 | R5: 10-9 | R6: 9-10 | R7: 10-9 | R8: 9-10 | R9: 9-10 | R10: 9-10 | R11: 9-10 | R12: 9-10
Mazique’s Final Score: Essuman 116 – Taylor 112
After Essuman’s huge win, he asked for a title shot at welterweight. He could attempt to challenge Jaron “Boots” Ennis, unless the IBF and WBA champion elects to go for a unification bout against WBO champ Brian Norman—or the winner between the latter and Jin Sasaki.
In any case, we may have a new championship player at 147 pounds. As for Taylor, he didn’t look great at his new weight class.
With all due respect to Essuman, he’s not on the level of Ennis or Norman. If Taylor is getting bested by Essuman, who is 36, there’s probably not a practical path to a championship.
The question is: can he accept that?
Nathaniel Collins def. Lee McGregor via Fourth-Round KO
Collins produced the best performance of his career against a major name in British boxing. Collins finished McGregor on the strength of a clipping right hand, which produced the first of three knockdowns.
The second one came after a left hook to the midsection. McGregor got back to his feet—though he looked less willing than he did following the first knockdown.
Moments later, Collins closed the deal with another hard body shot that doubled McGregor over in pain. The referee made the proper decision in stopping the fight immediately.
Collins is perhaps on the cusp of challenging for a featherweight championship. He came into the fight ranked No. 4 in the WBC, and he seems like a great matchup for Carlos Castro or Brandon Figueroa, who are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
Moses Itauma def. Mike Balogun via Second-Round KO
Itauma continues to impress. The 20-year-old heavyweight sensation improves to 12-0 with a devastating KO of Balogun (21-2) in the second round.
Balogun had a horrendous defensive strategy, approaching Itauma with a low right hand. It was only a matter of time before the southpaw slugger began to connect with power shots.
The first one landed in the opening round. Itauma dropped the American with a clubbing left hand that left Balogun lying flat on his face. To Balogun’s credit, he got to his feet and finished the round.
Balogun didn’t cower after being dropped. He came forward, and his willingness to engage cost him. A huge right cross dropped Balogun on his back. There was no way I thought Balogun was going to get up—Itauma admitted he was surprised as well when the American got to his feet.
Balogun didn’t just get to his feet, he came forward with even more vigor. Well, that didn’t work out well either. Itauma dropped him again with a destructive hook, and the referee made the right decision to stop the fight immediately.
Balogun was trying to get up, but it was academic at this point. The 41-year-old had come crashing into his ceiling.
Itauma will likely return to the ring in July, and perhaps he’ll have his biggest challenge in December.