Josh Taylor makes a first appearance of 2025 this Saturday at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, and the Scot attempts to breathe new life into his career by moving up to welterweight to take on Ekow Essuman for the vacant WBO International title.
Frank Warren’s Queensberry promote Taylor vs Essuman, while DAZN televise worldwide.
Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) has seen his stock decrease dramatically after cleaning out the super lightweight division in May 2021 with a tight points win against Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas that saw him become undisputed champion.
The 34-year-old would hold on to his wealth of belts in February 2022, but looked very fortunate to retain in a split verdict over Jack Catterall in Glasgow, and just over a year later saw a first defeat, as Teofimo Lopez took a clear win on the cards to take the WBO crown in New York.
A rematch with Catterall was mooted but kept getting postponed, and the two finally met last May in Leeds, with the Chorley man gaining revenge with a handy points success.
The rebuild starts now for the ‘Tartan Tornado’ and he faces the tough Essuman (21-1, 8 KOs) on his 147 pound debut.
Born in Botswana, but a long-term resident of Nottingham, ‘The Engine’ has previously reigned as British and Commonwealth champion, but lost those titles to Harry Scarff via decision in November 2023.
The 36-year-old has bounced back since, taking the unbeaten records of Owen Cooper (TKO10) and most recently, Ben Vaughan, securing a majority decision win last November in Birmingham.
Prediction: Taylor has looked a stark version of his best in his last few fights, but the move up in weight could rejuvenate him, and I favour him to take a clear-enough points win.
Collins meets McGregor
The undercard is headed by an intriguing clash at featherweight, as Nathaniel Collins and Lee McGregor lock horns in an all-Scottish affair for the vacant WBC Silver featherweight title.
Collins (16-0, 7 KOs) claimed British and Commonwealth belts, but only boxed once in 2024, and shook off rust in February, winning all eight rounds against Darwing Martinez.
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McGregor (15-1-1, 11 KOs) has done the same at bantamweight, and was highly-touted, but saw his star fade somewhat in July 2023, as Erik Robles Ayala scored an upset points win for the IBO super bantamweight bauble in Edinburgh.
‘Lightning’ has won three straight since, the last a clear points victory against Isaac Lowe to take the WBC International strap in December.
Prediction: This looks a cracking contest on paper, and I lean towards the fresher Collins to triumph on the scorecards.
Itauma battles Balogun
Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) didn’t get have to go past the second round in four fights in 2024, the last a one-round blowout of Demsey McKean in Riyadh, and he should remove Mike Balogun (21-1, 16 KOs) early on in their scheduled heavyweight ten rounder, with the American halted in two by Murat Gassiev in 2023.
Remaining Undercard
Aloys Junior (9-1, 8 KOs) is one to keep an eye on, and the cruiserweight should despatch David Jamieson (13-3, 10 KOs) inside their scheduled ten round distance.
The vacant Scottish Area title is up for grabs at middleweight, and Aston Brown (7-0, 2 KOs) can become the new champion with a points win against Reece Porter (5-0, 3 KOs).
In the only eight round attraction, Luke McCormack (3-0, 2 KOs) can continue his education with a stoppage win against Panama’s Samir Cuentes (4-5) at super lightweight.
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In the sole six rounder, Marcus Sutherland (7-0, 4 KOs) can also win early in his featherweight meeting with Dylan Nixon (0-2).
In four rounders, Alex Arthur makes a debut, and he should start with a points success at super middleweight against the teak-tough Robbie Chapman (13-49-9, 2 KOs), and Drew Limond (3-0, 1 KO), son of Willie Limond, should triumph on the cards against Ezequiel Gregores (3-22) at welterweight.
At lightweight, Lee Welsh (4-0, 1 KO) should get past Tony Morton (1-17) early on, and Luke Bibby (9-1, 2 KOs) can return from defeat last time out to outscore Cesar Ignacio Paredes (18-18-1, 5 KOs), also at lightweight.
Super lightweight debutant, Reese Lynch should begin with a points win against Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-26, 5 KOs).
