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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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Shakur Stevenson accuses Devin Haney of ‘false public negotiations’ after £144 settlement

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Accuses Devin Haney of "Fake Public Negotiations" After 144-Pound Agreement

Potential negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have taken another public turn after Stevenson accused his rival of engaging in “false public negotiations” following Haney’s latest comments on social media.

Haney appeared frustrated after previously agreeing to Stevenson’s proposed catchweight of 144 pounds, suggesting that even accepting those terms did not bring the fight any closer to becoming a reality.


“144 is not enough…I still don’t want to fight! Damn…@ShakurStevenson,” Haney wrote X.

Shakur later responded by dismissing this public exchange as a impoverished reflection of how main event fights actually unfold.

“The same thing you all did with Rolly. All those counterfeit public negotiations… The real negotiations take place offline.” I am the truth that you will see when you stand before me!!” Shakur posted.

Shakiur previously considered 144 pounds to be a fair compromise in a potential showdown with Haney, who has competed at welterweight in his most recent outings. Haney then signaled his willingness to accept the catchweight offer, sparking optimism that one of boxing’s most talked-about fights could gain momentum.

The latest exchange came shortly after the WBO confirmed that Haney must either defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis or risk losing the belt. While neither Haney nor Stevenson directly addressed the situation in their recent posts, the article did add another note to any future negotiations involving the former two-division world champions.

With Haney facing a WBO title decision and Shakur insisting that stern negotiations will take place behind closed doors, the pressure is now on both camps to determine whether the fight can go beyond an online exchange.

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Categories Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson

Last update: 2026/06/12 at 21:45

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Shakur Stevenson Doubles Down on Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence Prediction: ‘Can’t Beat Him’

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Shakur Stevenson doubles down on Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence prediction: “He can’t beat him”

Shakur Stevenson maintained his predictions for the Errol Spence Jr vs. Tim Tszyu fight, believing that one fighter would be too “mentally tough” for the other.

The meeting of the two former world champions will take place on July 25 in Australia at weight of 158 pounds to accommodate Spence’s inactivity.

Even though Tszyu insisted on fighting at super welterweight, his opponent clearly felt the extra 4 pounds would be appropriate after his three-year layoff.

This long break came after Spence suffered a ninth-round stoppage loss to Terence Crawford, who became the undisputed king of the 147-pound division in surprisingly one-sided fashion.

Spence previously held the WBC, IBF and WBA titles with victories over Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and Yordenis Ugas, although a weight augment always seemed inevitable.

Now the 36-year-old hopes to revive his career against Tszyu, who is coming off a two-point win after losing to Sebastian Fundora last July.

While their rematch ended in the seventh round, Tszyu showed tremendous strength against Fundora in 2024, only to lose the WBO title via split decision.

Later that year, the Australian suffered a third-round defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev, with four-division world champion Stevenson saying: The whole fight against smoke that he thinks Spence is a level above him.

“I think so [Spence] I will do well. I wish Errol all the best; I hope Errol goes in there and beats Tim Tszyu.

“I’m an Errol Spence fan; I was okay with Errol Spence before [Crawford] fight. I know Errol is mentally forceful – Errol is a dog when it comes to fighting, so I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat him.

Stevenson previously suggested that Spence could “destroy” Tszyu, believing the 31-year-old’s style was tailor-made for “The Truth.”

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Shakur Stevenson expects the former champion to defeat Tim Tszyu

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Image: Errol Spence Is a Dog: Shakur Stevenson Expects Former Champ to Defeat Tim Tszyu

Despite concerns about Errol’s long three-year absence from the ring, Shakur believes the former unified welterweight champion still has what it takes to beat Tszyu.

“I think so [Spence] I will do well. I wish Errol all the best; I hope Errol goes in there and beats up Tim Tszyu,” Shakur said on Andre Ward’s channel.

“I’m an Errol Spence fan; Errol Spence was OK before [Terence Crawford] fight. I know Errol is mentally robust. Errol is a dog when it comes to fighting, so I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat him.

Spence has not fought since a ninth-round loss to Crawford in July 2023 that cost him the WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight titles. After almost three years of break from competition, the 36-year-old is now trying to resume his career in a fresh weight class.

Meanwhile, Tszyu enters the fight with regained momentum after a arduous period in 2024. The former WBO junior middleweight champion bounced back from setbacks to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev with back-to-back victories to get back into position for his next marquee fight.

Shakur has previously expressed confidence in Spence’s chances against Tszyu, but his latest comments suggest he remains confident that the Texan’s experience, mentality and overall ability will be the deciding factor on July 25.

The fight will be one of the biggest tests of Spence’s career. While Tszyu is looking to secure a spectacular win that could redefine his position in the junior middleweight division, Errol will be looking to show that he can still compete at the highest level after an extended period of inactivity.

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