Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor to Win WBO Global Welterweight Title in Glasgow

Josh Taylor, once the undisputed super lightweight champion with a 19-0 record, suffered his third consecutive defeat in his welterweight debut against Ekow Essuman at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, losing by unanimous decision. Despite starting strong, Taylor was unable to maintain momentum as Essuman, a 36-year-old former British and Commonwealth champion, gradually took control, exploiting Taylor’s lack of knockout power and inflicting a cut over his left eye that worsened as the fight progressed. The judges scored the bout decisively for Essuman, who improved his record to 22-1 and claimed the vacant WBO Global Welterweight title, marking a significant upset given Taylor’s former status as a multi-division world champion. The fight saw intense exchanges, with Essuman pressing forward effectively, especially in the latter rounds, while Taylor struggled to regain his earlier dominance. This loss deepens doubts about Taylor’s future in boxing, with some observers suggesting it may signify the twilight of his career. Essuman, meanwhile, expressed ambitions to pursue a world title, buoyed by the victory that silenced the partisan Scottish crowd.