Josh Taylor is ready to make a statement in a new weight class on May 24 against Ekow Essuman. The fight at the OVO Hydro airs on DAZN.
At one point, Taylor (19-2) controlled the super lightweight division, holding undisputed status. Following a controversial win against Jack Catterall, “The Tartan Tornado” has lost two straight, including a rematch loss against Catterall.
The 34-year-old has now made a long-anticipated move to welterweight. Can Taylor transfer his success to the 147-pound ranks?
“I haven’t done nothing yet,” Taylor told BoxingScene. “A lot of people are writing me off. ‘He’s done.’ ‘He’s finished.’ I’ve got a lot of fire in my belly to prove people wrong again. This is Josh Taylor 2.0, and it starts on Saturday.”
Essuman (21-1) is a former British and Commonwealth welterweight champion on a two-fight win streak. The Nottingham-born star has eight wins via knockout and looks for the upset.
Rising prospects and former local champions look to impress on the Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman undercard.
Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Taylor vs. Essuman card.
Nathaniel Collins vs. Lee McGregor
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Collins record: 16-0
- McGregor record: 15-1-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-feature will see Nathaniel Collins vs. Lee McGregor.
Collins is a former Commonwealth and British featherweight champion. “The Nightmare” only fought once in 2024 and looks to make up for it by going 2-0 in 2025.
Edinburgh’s McGregor has held Commonwealth, British, and European gold at the bantamweight level. He’s on a three-fight win streak and aiming to dominate a new division.
Aloys Junior vs. Davie Jamieson
- Division/Weight: Cruiserweight
- Junior record: 9-1
- Jamieson record: 13-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Aloys Junior faces Davie Jamieson.
Junior is a rising cruiserweight prospect who has won eight fights via knockout. “The Animal” looks for his first win of 2025.
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Jamieson is on a three-fight win streak. After failing to capture British gold, the 33-year-old looks to climb back up the ladder and eventually win local gold.
Moses Itauma vs. Mike Balogun
- Division/Weight: Heavyweight
- Itauma record: 11-0
- Balogun record: 21-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card, fight fans will see the return of Moses Itauma against Mike Balogun.
A multi-time gold medalist in the amateurs, Itauma has nine wins via knockout. The lavishly gifted 20-year-old is closing in on title contention.
Balogun is 2-1 in his past three fights. The southpaw from Maryland has 16 wins via knockout.
Luke McCormack vs. Samir Cuentas
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- McCormack record: 3-0
- Cuentas record: 4-5
- Belts at stake: N/A
Luke McCormack faces Samir Cuentas.
A European Games bronze medalist and the brother of Pat McCormack, Luke McCormack looks to go 2-0 in 2024. Sunderland’s own has two wins via the power punch.
The 32-year-old Cuentas (4-5), from Panama, is 2-2 in his last four fights.
Alex Arthur Jr. vs. Robbie Chapman
- Division/Weight: Super Middleweight
- Arthur record: N/A
- Chapman record: 13-49-9
- Belts at stake: N/A
Alex Arthur Jr. faces Robbie Chapman.
The son of former British and WBO super featherweight champion “Amazing” Alex Arthur, Arthur Jr. won Scottish National Titles before turning pro this weekend.
MORE: Josh Taylor promises to deliver KO in welterweight debut
Chapman (13-49-9) did win two fights in 2024 but went 2-17-3 last year. “The Camden Caretaker” hasn’t won consecutive fights since 2022.
Drew Limond vs. Ezequiel Gregorez
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Limond record: 3-0
- Gregorez record: 3-22
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Drew Limond faces Ezequiel Gregorez.
Limond (3-0) is the son of former Commonwealth and British champion Willie Limond, who tragically passed away last year. “White Sugar” looks to go 2-0 in 2025. Gregores (3-22) hasn’t won a fight since 2021.
Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, May 24
- Start time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST
- Main event start time (approx.): 5:30 p.m. ET | 2:20 p.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. BST | 7:30 a.m. AEST
- Location: OVO Hydro – Glasgow, Scotland
- Live Stream: DAZN
Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman will be available on DAZN worldwide.
A DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription will cost £99.99.
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