Ekow “The Engine” Essuman didn’t need a victory over Josh Taylor to prove he was world class.
In May, the Nottingham welterweight kept his composure in the heat of Glasgow, doing everything in his power to hand the Scot the third defeat of his career. Two months later, Taylor – the former undisputed super lightweight champion – announced he was retiring. A notable scalp in more ways than Essuman’s.
In her amateur days, Taylor qualified for the London Olympics in 2012 and won Commonwealth gold two years later. Essuman was a member of the British Podium boxing team and boxed for the British Lionhearts team – a grueling five-round format not for the dull of heart.
Taylor’s beating was not evidence, but confirmation of what Essuman already believed, as Boxing News explained.
“With my previous experience with Team GB and boxing in general and the work I have done with people at the highest world level, I know that I am a world champion. I just have to go out and show everyone that I am a world champion. I know all the skills that I have. I know how I exploit them. I belong to fight for world titles.
“Honestly, I knew to some extent that I was at the level to beat Josh Taylor before I beat him. But obviously beating him just reinforced that belief for me, as much as anyone else. And fighting on that show in front of a huge crowd.”
The ‘show’ takes place next Saturday (November 15) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – it’s going to be a large night, culminating in a hard-fought rematch between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn. On the card below, Essuman (22-1, 8 KO) meets Taylor’s fiercest rival, Jack “El Gato” Catterall (31-2, 13 KO), in one of the standout supporting fights.
So how did this happen?
“We found out about their offer and then there was a lot of media coverage about it. So I think the hype built up to the point where people thought the fight just had to happen.”
Essuman admits he’s disappointed that his career hasn’t taken off as quickly as he expected after Taylor’s win.
“I was definitely getting flowers. I think die-hard boxing fans really know what I’ve accomplished. Of course, people can say that Josh was at the end of his career anyway. He certainly didn’t look like that when he came out for the first few rounds of the fight. I did that to him – I took that away from him. So really, it’s just more than that. I was preparing for the next level. So come on.”
Essuman’s reign in the UK included solid domestic victories over Chris Jenkins, Danny Ball, Darren Tetley, Samuel Antwi and Chris Kongo. He was only beaten by “Scary” Harry Scarff. Against Catterall, he’ll face a fighter whose awkward southpaw style could prove just as hard.
Catterall has spent recent months in Philadelphia training under “Bozy” Ennis – father and coach of Jaron Ennis – alongside world-class talents such as Stephen Fulton and Andy Cruz. The switch could bring a more forward version of the Chorley model.
But Essuman knows what to expect.
“I shared the ring with Jack in the run-up to the Josh Taylor fight. The reason for that is because I wanted to really feel what Jack was good at, how awkward Jack was. So I knew how to be that awkward with Josh Taylor. I had a good feel for Jack’s awkwardness and what he’s really good at – things that annoy other people. I know what I’m dealing with.”
“If he decided to play more forward, it would work in my favor either way. It won’t matter. He might think I might be there ahead of him. But he’ll just find out about all the other quivers on my bow.”
Essuman is ranked No. 3 by the WBO and Catterall is ranked No. 8. It’s not a world title eliminator, but it carries that kind of weight. Failure would be a major setback – especially for 36-year-old Essuman, who cannot afford to rebuild at this stage.
After dismantling Taylor, the “Engine” is ready to run again. Catterall may need something special to stop him.
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