Ekow Essuman secured the biggest win of his career by upsetting Scottish hero Josh Taylor at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

A career-long welterweight, Essuman showed no signs of intimidation despite facing the former undisputed champion in his backyard.

The judges scored it 116-113, 116-112, and 115-113, rightly awarding Essuman a unanimous decision victory. Taylor shook his head in disbelief as the scores were announced, but there was no controversy, the right man won.

Since his loss to Harry Scarff in November 2023, Essuman has endured three gruelling battles, emerging victorious in each.

Taylor’s lack of activity, fighting just once a year since 2019, seems to have caught up with him. His discipline between fights has also been questioned.

He looked sharp, very sharp, in the opening rounds, working behind a crisp jab and throwing combinations. There were glimpses of the old Taylor.

He controlled the early rounds, but Essuman had his moments.

This was Taylor’s first fight at welterweight, and though he landed clean shots, they didn’t halt Essuman’s momentum.

Essuman absorbed the early rounds and came out for the third with real intent, rushing Taylor and landing three shots to make it clear he was here for a fight.

Taylor targeted the body well, ripping in some sickening shots, but Essuman barely flinched.

As the fight passed the halfway mark, Essuman lived up to his nickname, “The Engine,” pushing forward relentlessly and keeping Taylor under constant pressure.

Taylor’s corner urged him to throw more combinations and stay off the ropes, not allowing Essuman the chance to respond, but he couldn’t execute.

Round 10 saw both men lay it all on the line, trading big shots and digging deep.

Essuman smothered, outworked, and outlanded Taylor in the second half of the fight.

He dedicated the win to his long-time manager, Jimmy Gill, who recently passed away. Essuman fought as much for Jimmy as for himself.

A world title shot could be next, making for a true Cinderella Man story.

As for Taylor, this could mark the end of a career that has cemented him as one of the best British fighters of modern times.

Nathaniel Collins Delivers Breakout Performance

Southpaw Nathaniel Collins made a statement in the chief support contest, demolishing Lee McGregor in emphatic fashion.

Unbeaten Collins captured the WBC Featherweight Silver title in front of a raucous Hydro Arena crowd.

The opening three rounds were competitive, with Collins landing the cleaner shots while McGregor applied relentless pressure from the first bell.

Everything changed in round four. Collins landed a clean left hand, sending McGregor to the canvas for the first time. Moments later, a sharp body-head combination, capped with a 1-2 up top, floored McGregor again. Finally, Collins feinted high, then delivered a crushing left to the gut, ending the contest as referee Mark Lyson waved it off.

Just a year ago, Collins underwent life-saving surgery for a twisted bowel. Now, he delivers the performance of his career, capping it off by calling out WBC full champion Stephen Fulton; a mouth-watering matchup.

The Itauma train keeps rolling on

Moses Itauma seems to show something a little different with each passing fight.  The 20 year old heavyweight took out Mike Balogun in two sizzling rounds.

The southpaw Itauma threw an overhand left that put Balogun down in round one.  A counter right hook floored Balogun in round two and a beautiful right hook, while travelling backwards, ended the show with 46 seconds left in round two.

It would be nice to see Itauma in the ring with some of the big names of the heavyweight division, but at 20 years old, there is no rush.

Next stop, the Usyk vs Dubois II undercard at Wembley in July. 

Reese Lynch stars in pro debut

Reese Lynch put on an impressive pro debut, stopping the tough and experienced Brazillian Jonatas De Oliveira in two crowd-pleasing rounds.

Lynch, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, didn’t hold back in unleashing all of his skills for all to see. 

Oliveira, known to be a durable opponent, tried his best to hang in there, but a body shot, as it so often does, folded him in half, and although the bell had rung for the end of round two, he shook his head showing the referee that he wants no more part of the slaughter.

The fight was officially at welterweight (147 lbs), but Lynch weighed in at 141.7 lbs, so will most likely campaign at super lightweight going forward.

It’s early days, but he’s certainly one to watch. 

Aloys Junior Backs Up His Words with a Devastating KO

Aloys Jr had plenty to say in the lead-up to his Commonwealth cruiserweight title fight against David Jamieson, and on the night, he made sure to back up every word.

It took just three rounds for Aloys Jr to claim the belt, dropping Jamieson in each round along the way. A chopping right hand, a right uppercut, and a left hook—three different punches put Jamieson down, showcasing Aloys’ variety.

At only 22 years old, he possesses the speed and power that could take him to the top of the sport.

After losing his first professional fight at just 18, he has since won all ten of his bouts, with nine victories coming by knockout.

Following his emphatic win, he called out British champion Viddal Riley, declaring that he’s “coming for everyone.”

Alex Arthur proud of his son on debut

The son of Scottish legend Alex Arthur made his professional debut on the preliminary card.  Alex Arthur Jr, fighting at super middleweight, went the full four rounds with the experienced Robbie Chapman.

‘I was nervous’, Junior told the Queensberry broadcast.

‘But I’ve been living with a professional on my shoulders for a long long time, and I continue to do well.’

‘He boxed very well in spells.’ Arthur Sr said; quick to praise his son after his first professional fight.

‘We deliberately picked a very difficult challenge for Alex because he’s been boxing at a very high level in the amateurs, almost Olympic level, so it was senseless for Alex to go in there with someone he was going to decimate quickly.

‘That’s why I picked Robbie. I knew he was super tough, I knew he was durable, I knew he’d give Alex plenty of things to think about, and he did!’

3 knockdowns as Aston Brown blasts his way to victory in Glasgow derby

Aston Brown won the Scottish area middleweight title by blasting out Reece Porter in one round. Porter was knocked down three times before the referee put him out of his misery.

Brown looked almost nonchalant as he strolled forward from the opening bell.  He got caught a few times by Porter, before he flicked the swich to inflict a quick and decisive beatdown.  

It was Brown’s right hand that did the damage all three times. Brown moves to 8-0 (3 KOs)

Images: Getty