Josh Taylor, once the pride of Scottish boxing and an undisputed light-welterweight champion, faced a significant setback in his career on May 24, 2025. In a much-anticipated homecoming bout at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, Taylor squared off against Ekow Essuman, marking his debut in the welterweight division. The atmosphere was electric, with fans eager to witness their hero reclaim his former glory.
The fight commenced with Taylor showcasing his signature agility and precision, dominating the early rounds. However, as the bout progressed, Essuman, aptly nicknamed “The Engine,” began to assert his dominance. By the later rounds, Taylor appeared fatigued, struggling to match Essuman’s relentless pace, even suffering a cut over his left eye in the seventh round. The judges rendered a unanimous decision in favor of Essuman, handing Taylor his third consecutive defeat and his first on Scottish soil. The scorecards — 116-113, 116-112, and 115-113 confirmed what most inside the arena had begun to fear: the night belonged to Essuman.
In the aftermath of the bout, Devin Haney didn’t hold back his opinion on the bout. He posted a scathing remark on Instagram, stating, “Wow Josh Taylor.. Sh**ty boy” and adding a trash can emoji to convey his feelings for the 34-year-old former world champion. The comment intensified the scrutiny already surrounding the Scotsman’s decline.
Devin Haney isn’t a fan of Josh Taylor pic.twitter.com/GYAaTi1Iu7
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 25, 2025
While Taylor and Haney have never clashed in the ring, their names have frequently surfaced in the same breath. Back in 2023, Taylor was critical of Haney’s narrow win over Vasiliy Lomachenko, aligning with many fans and pundits who questioned the judges’ decision. Despite this, the Scotsman later acknowledged Haney’s boxing IQ, tipping him to beat Ryan Garcia due to his superior skills. Haney, on the other hand, has been far less diplomatic.
At their peaks, both fighters had impressive records: Josh Taylor boasted an undefeated 19-0 streak until his loss to Teofimo Lopez in 2023. Now, sadly, his record stands at 19-3. Before the recent slide, Taylor’s journey to greatness was paved with highlight-reel performances. His defining moment came in May 2021 when he defeated José Ramírez to become the undisputed light-welterweight champion—the first Brit to do so in the four-belt era. Wins against Regis Prograis, Jack Catterall, and Viktor Postol had solidified his status.
His move to the 147lb division was intended as a career reset, especially after his unanimous decision loss to Jack Catterall in their 2024 rematch. But instead of redemption, it led to an even deeper slump. His homecoming bout against Essuman was meant to reignite belief, but instead fueled conversations about retirement.
At 34, with three consecutive losses on the trot, Taylor faces the harshest reality any former champion must confront: When is it time to walk away?
Tough road ahead for Josh Taylor
In the aftermath of a shocking defeat to Ekow Essuman, Josh Taylor stands not in the ring, but at the crossroads of his boxing career. The former undisputed world champion, once hailed as one of the most dominant fighters of his era, now finds himself grappling with an unfamiliar opponent — doubt. Following his third consecutive loss and a bruising welterweight debut, Josh Taylor has admitted he will take time to reflect before deciding whether to continue fighting.
Speaking to BBC Scotland the morning after the bout, the 34-year-old was brutally honest: “I’ll just relax for a couple of weeks and not make any hasty decisions. If I really feel that I’m not performing, then I will hang them up.” It was a rare moment of vulnerability from a man known for grit and bravado. Taylor’s swift post-fight exit from the ring, skipping media duties, only underscored the emotional toll. “I was just totally gutted,” he confessed. “My emotions were all over the place.”
Josh Taylor still managed to show grace in defeat, congratulating Essuman in the ring before retreating to the dressing room. Yet the emotional weight was heavy. The fighter who once silenced Las Vegas crowds with his victory over José Ramírez in 2021 now stood before a home crowd in Glasgow, silenced by defeat. “The atmosphere was unbelievable again,” Taylor acknowledged. “I should have taken the time to thank everybody for coming. I regret not doing that.”
Inactivity, Taylor believes, may be a key culprit in his downward slide. He hasn’t fought more than once a year since 2019 — a stark contrast to his high-output, high-intensity fighting style. He admitted he felt rusty and below his best. “I know I am better than that… I know when I’m at my best I can beat anyone,” he said, still clinging to a fighter’s belief. Whether that belief fuels a comeback or a move to retirement is a question only Josh Taylor can answer in the weeks to come. For now, he is resting up.
The post Devin Haney Adds to Josh Taylor’s Woes as 3-Fight Skid Clouds Scotsman’s Future appeared first on EssentiallySports.