Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman – Result & Post-Fight Report

Josh Taylor’s move up to welterweight ended in disappointment as Ekow Essuman claimed a deserved points victory to capture the vacant WBO Global title at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro. In a significant upset, Essuman outworked Taylor over 12 rounds, earning scorecards of 116-113, 116-112, and 115-113.

Taylor (19-3, 13 KOs), the former undisputed super lightweight world champion, was competing for the first time since a decision loss to Jack Catterall in their long-awaited rematch in May 2024. Essuman (22-1, 8 KOs), a former British and Commonwealth welterweight champion, had previously lost those belts to Harry Scarff in November 2023 but bounced back by handing Ben Vaughan his first professional defeat later that month.

The fight began brightly for Taylor, who applied early pressure and landed with fast combinations. However, Essuman, nicknamed “The Engine,” began to find success with his right hand and grew in confidence as the bout progressed. A dramatic fourth round saw Taylor rock Essuman with a left hand, only for the Nottingham fighter to respond immediately, stunning Taylor with a right.

As the fight entered the second half, Essuman began to take control. Taylor suffered a cut above his left eye in the seventh round, and the visitor capitalized, closing the distance and turning the momentum in his favor. Taylor had moments, notably landing a sharp right in the 10th, but Essuman’s consistent work rate and timely counters kept him in the ascendency.

With the fight hanging in the balance, both fighters gave their all in the final round, but it was Essuman who edged the exchanges and earned the biggest win of his career.

Nathaniel Collins Claims WBC Silver Featherweight Title with Statement Win

Nathaniel Collins (17-0, 8 KOs) delivered a career-best performance to stop Lee McGregor (15-2-1, 11 KOs) in the fourth round and capture the vacant WBC Silver featherweight title.

Collins dropped McGregor early in the fourth with a powerful left hand out of a clinch. After McGregor beat the count, Collins unleashed a brutal combination that sent him down again. With McGregor trapped on the ropes, a final body shot folded him to the canvas, prompting the referee to wave off the contest.

Heavyweight Prospect Moses Itauma Destroys Mike Balogun in Two Rounds

Highly touted heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma (12-0, 10 KOs) continued his knockout streak with a dominant second-round stoppage of American Mike Balogun (21-2, 16 KOs).

Balogun was floored in the opening round by a glancing left hand and struggled to recover. Itauma maintained his aggression in the second, scoring another knockdown before finishing the bout with a powerful right hand as Balogun came forward. The referee immediately halted the bout as Balogun lay motionless on the canvas.

MOSES ITAUMA IS A BAD MAN!!! 😈#TaylorEssuman | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/hJFSU5deYp

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 24, 2025

Aloys Youmbi Wins Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title with Explosive Finish

Aloys Youmbi (10-1, 9 KOs) claimed the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight title in style, stopping David Jamieson (13-4, 10 KOs) in just three rounds. Youmbi dropped Jamieson in each of the opening rounds before landing a crushing left hand in the third to end the contest decisively.

Aston Brown Captures Scottish Middleweight Title in One-Round Rout

Undefeated Aston Brown (8-0, 3 KOs) captured the vacant Scottish middleweight title with a first-round stoppage of Reece Porter (5-1, 3 KOs). Brown floored Porter three times in a dominant performance to secure the title.

Luke McCormack Impresses with Second-Round Stoppage

In a scheduled eight-rounder at super lightweight, Luke McCormack (4-0, 3 KOs) continued his perfect start as a professional, halting Panama’s Samir Cuentes (4-6) in the second round.

Undercard Results

Alex Arthur (1-0) made a successful professional debut at super middleweight, winning all four rounds against veteran Robbie Chapman (13-50-9, 2 KOs).

Drew Limond (4-0, 1 KO) also won every round at welterweight, defeating Ezequiel Gregores (3-23).

At lightweight, Lee Welsh (5-0, 2 KOs) scored three knockdowns en route to a first-round stoppage of Tony Morton (1-18).

Luke Bibby (10-1, 2 KOs) dominated Cesar Ignacio Paredes (18-198-1) over four rounds to claim a decision win at lightweight.

Super lightweight debutant Reese Lynch (1-0, 1 KO) made a successful professional start with a second-round body shot stoppage of Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-27, 5 KOs).