Time for Josh Taylor to retire after Essuman loss?
10 quick talking points from the weekend’s action and beyond
Time waits for no fighter. Josh Taylor found that out the hard way over the weekend as he attempted to claw back the old magic. As Taylor’s career slipped away, Moses Itauma’s prospects continue to rise. The ring once again staged an evening of mixed fortunes for fighters old and new.
1. Ekow outlasts tepid Taylor in Glasgow
At the ripe old age of 36, Ekow Essuman could finally be on the verge of a world title shot. Essuman has paid his dues, taken hard fights and refused to buckle, even in defeat. ‘The Engine’ got his strategy spot on against Josh Taylor.
Weathering the early storm in Glasgow’s OVO Arena, using his jab, body shots and patient experience to push Taylor back and grind out a win, Essuman deserved his unanimous decision success. It could hardly happen to a more deserving boxer.
2. Josh Taylor needs to retire; there’s nothing left to prove
Has there ever been such a barren run off the back of undisputed? In his prime, Taylor condensed his career and swept to glory with the McGuigans in his corner. Since beating Jose Ramirez, the wheels have come off.
The power and desire are still there, but the timing and late-round energy have disappeared. It’s time for Josh to look back on a fantastic career littered by a run of great wins and hang up the gloves.
3. Moses Itauma smashes through another opponent
Blasting away overmatched foes has become a bit of a habit for red-hot prospect Moses Itauma. The praise is flowing for the young heavyweight and why not? He passes every current blink of the eye test.
However, we must also tread with caution. Grizzled old boxing observers like myself have seen many surefire hits come and go in a blaze of glory. Itauma may well be the next best thing. Until he has ticked all of the required boxes—chin check, stamina, adversity—you never really know 100 per cent.
4. Not easy on the road, but Angelo Leo does his job
IBF featherweight champion Angelo Leo travelled to Japan to outpoint Tomoki Kameda on Saturday. Although Kameda played his part, Leo was good value for the win. Angelo remains the “weakest” of the champions. The likes of Espinoza, Fulton and Ball would fancy a shot at unifying with him, to grab an extra belt.
5. Terri Harper retains against an overmatched opponent
Natalie Zimmermann may have been brave, tough, courageous and everything else DAZN commentator Adam Smith described her as on Friday evening, but the German was technically lacking.
Terri Harper got through her homecoming, retaining the WBO title successfully. Zimmermann had never defeated anyone with a winning record, on a slate that included four debutantes. The former kickboxer was unable to avail of such an opportunity.
6. Maxi too Sharp for Archie
Ageless domestic warrior Hughes outpointed Archie Sharp on the Harper undercard. It was a pretty dull fight for the most part, punctuated by fleeting moments of excitement, notably the seventh round when Hughes hurt Sharp.
Maxi will glide back towards world level, hoping for a shot as an opponent. Sharp will likely rue his missed opportunities here, thinking he was outboxing his opponent.
7. Hitchins and Kambosos meet on June 14
In one of the most pointless world title fights of 2025, Hitchins and Kambosos collide in New York. That may sound like a disrespectful statement given Kambosos’ competitive nature and win over Teofimo Lopez. The latter keeps getting him opportunities like this.
Kambosos’ performances against Devin Haney over 24 rounds showed me all I needed to know about his credentials against a certain style. Hitchins will almost certainly extend it to 36 rounds of pain as he dances around the Aussie to retain his belt.
8. Keyshawn Davis makes first defence against De Los Santos
One week earlier, on June 7, Keyshawn Davis headlines in his home city of Norfolk against Edwin De Los Santos. The Dominican puncher was last seen getting snakecharmed for 12 rounds by Shakur Stevenson in a snoozer. That was 19 months ago. Talented Davis must be defensively responsible in his maiden WBO lightweight title defence.
9. Abdullah Mason to reaffirm top prospect status in Norfolk
The last time Top Rank’s super prospect Mason boxed in Norfolk, he delivered an unexpected, yet entirely welcome, literal up-and-downer with Yohan Vasquez. Mason ultimately blasted the tricky puncher out of there and followed it up with two further stoppage displays.
Mason is 18-0 with 16 knockouts. Opponent on the Keyshawn Davis-De Los Santos undercard is African Jeremia Nakathila, touted as a puncher, but against a certain level. I’m backing Mason to make a mockery of any pre-fight projections and bang Nakathila out early.
10. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk pounds Balski in Polish punch up
There’s nothing like two big lads rounding off the weekend with a tear-up. In Poland on Sunday evening, 43-year-old Krzysztof Wlodarczyk battled back from a knockdown to drop and later knock out Adam Balski in Kalisz to win the WBC Bridgerweight title. That may be a naff belt, but it meant a lot to the emotional winner, a former cruiserweight champion with a new lease of life past 40.
Image credits: BBC, Pro Box TV, Matchroom Promotional.
About Steve…
Current existence: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine.
Previous lives: Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com