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Ekow Essuman prepares for world title clash with Jack Catterall: “This is my place”

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Ekow Essuman gearing up for world title run with Jack Catterall clash: “This is where I belong”

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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Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: I Still Think That

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Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: "I Still Think That"

Top trainer Peter Fury has offered his expert analysis on the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, believing it is still a 50/50 fight.

Others, meanwhile, will argue that Dubois should be made a considerable favourite, based on how he was able to dismantle Wardley in their first encounter.

In order to do so, the ‘Dynamite’ puncher was compelled to climb off the canvas in rounds one and three, having been put down by blows to the top of his head.

Proceedings then became a little one-sided as Dubois, utilising his fundamentals, managed to score an 11th-round finish with his thudding jab and superior footwork.

Wardley, however, wasted little time before activating the rematch clause in their contract and, in turn, securing the chance to reclaim his WBO title at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow evening.

Many will argue that such a swift turnaround could lead to his downfall while, due to his power and toughness, others would suggest that the 31-year-old is always dangerous, no matter the opponent standing across from him.

As such, coach Fury has told Boxing King Media that, while Dubois is rightfully brimming with confidence, it would be foolish to entirely dismiss Wardley’s attributes.

“I think it’s a great heavyweight fight – Dubois has got heavy hands and a good jab as well, so it’ll be interesting.

“You’ve got to say Wardley’s got it all to do, because the confidence of Dubois will be high. And if Dubois’ super confident, he’s a problem.

“But let’s see – Wardley was able to hurt Dubois early on. I still think that fight is a 50/50 fight.”

If he emerges victorious against Wardley, then Dubois will likely be targeting a unification match with Agit Kabayel or Filip Hrgovic in 2027.

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch of a heavyweight slugfest from earlier this year, with Dubois defending the WBO heavyweight title he took from Wardley on that night.

Live coverage will kick off at 2 pm ET, and we’ll have results and updates during the four-fight, main card undercard, then live, round-by-round scoring and updates for the main event itself.

How to watch Dubois vs Wardley 2

Start time: 2:00 pm ET for main card, prelims begin at 11:00 am ET

Streaming: DAZN (Ultimate subscription or Pay-Per-View)

PPV Cost: As a standalone, one-off purchase Pay-Per-View, the price is $59.99 (or £24.99). With DAZN’s Ultimate tier, the show is included as part of your subscription.

Location: O2 Arena – London, England

Dubois vs Wardley 2 full undercard and running order

Live Stream: Dubois vs Wardley 2 Prelims

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Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance

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"Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance"

Fabio Wardley can turn his early success against Daniel Dubois into a rematch victory if he avoids exhausting himself chasing the finish. He proved he could hurt Dubois in their first fight. The harder task is keeping control when an opponent he has dropped continues coming forward.

Wardley scored two early knockdowns before Dubois recovered and stopped him. That leaves an opening for a different result, although better pacing alone may not be enough to prevent another punishing night.

Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora both back Wardley to win again on Saturday, with Mannix choosing him by stoppage. Mora believes Wardley’s eagerness to finish Dubois helped undo his promising start.

“If he just doesn’t punch himself out, he thinks about setting up that right hand, doesn’t get right hand happy,” Mora said to DAZN Boxing.

That is the adjustment Wardley needs to make under pressure. Once Dubois survived his biggest punches, Wardley needed something beyond another loaded right hand. Working behind his jab and putting punches together would give him more ways to attack without spending everything on a single finish.

Dubois deserves credit for surviving those knockdowns and returning to his jab. Mora believes his previous defeats helped him stay composed when Wardley hurt him. Wardley now has his own experience of a fight turning against him.

“I think he’ll be smarter after this fight. I think he’ll learn some lessons,” Mannix said. “I think Wardley wins by stoppage in this fight.”

Mannix’s biggest concern is what the first beating took out of Wardley. Learning the tactical lesson does not guarantee he will absorb Dubois’ punches the same way in the rematch.

Wardley’s power gives their picks a credible foundation. He has already put Dubois down twice. To complete the job, he needs to create another opening without allowing the pursuit of a knockout to leave him exhausted and exposed again.

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Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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