Former undisputed champion Josh Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) will fight for relevance and redemption on May 24 when he makes his welterweight debut against WBO European belt-holder Ekow Essuman (21-1, 8 KOs) in Glasgow. The card streams live on DAZN (10:00 p.m. local / 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT) from the OVO Hydro.
It’s Taylor’s first fight in Scotland since the controversial Catterall saga, and this time there’s no margin for error. He’s older, heavier, and coming off back-to-back losses. Let’s see if the crowd still believes.
Taylor’s homecoming: redemption tour or retirement road?
It’s been a long fall for Taylor. After cleaning out 140 with wins over Baranchyk, Prograis, and Ramirez, he slid into a fog of disputed wins, injuries, and eventually, two clear defeats — one to Catterall and another against Teofimo Lopez where he looked like a ghost of his old self.
Now at 34, he’s walking into a weight class full of wolves. And they’re not going to respect his past. They’re going to test what’s left of the present. Essuman may not be elite, but he’s no pushover. And if Taylor looks flat, tired, or disinterested, Glasgow could turn hostile real quick.
This is more than just a comeback. It’s a career crossroad. Win, and he might get another big payday. Lose, and the talk turns from “what’s next?” to “what went wrong?”
Essuman’s shot to wreck a legacy — and he knows it
Essuman isn’t here for the paycheck. The former British, Commonwealth, and IBF Euro champ has rebuilt after his only loss to Harry Scarff last year. Since then, he’s knocked off Owen Cooper and Ben Vaughan — and he’s made it clear: he wants world-level fights.
He’s got the engine, he’s got the experience, and he’s already smashed jaws in the ring. Ask Danny Ball. Essuman’s not afraid of Glasgow. He’s fought under the lights at Wembley and Manchester. The stage won’t scare him — and Taylor’s name won’t either.
If he wins, he jumps straight into the WBO mix at 147. If he loses close? He’ll still walk out with more credibility than when he walked in.
Undefeated British heavyweight Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) is back on May 24, facing former NFL linebacker-turned-boxer Mike Balogun (21-1, 16 KOs) at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
Balogun brings size, not danger — Moses should tear through him
Itauma destroyed Demsey McKean in two minutes flat last December in Riyadh. Since then, fans have waited months for his next victim. Enter Mike Balogun: southpaw, tough guy, padded record, and best known for getting flattened by Murat Gassiev in under six minutes.
Sure, Balogun has 21 wins, but let’s not pretend those names mean anything. His last outing? A points win over Lamont Capers — the walking definition of “safe opponent.”
his is a showcase. Balogun is here to eat punches, try to clinch, and maybe survive long enough to test Itauma’s patience. If that’s even possible.
Moses marches on — but real danger looms ahead
Queensberry’s golden boy wants a belt. And with another dominant KO, he moves one step closer to a title eliminator. If he looks sharp, you can bet names like Hrgovic, Makhmudov, or Kabayel start getting floated in backrooms.
For now, Balogun is the speed bump. But Itauma doesn’t just beat opponents — he erases them. And if Balogun gets sloppy or cocky for one second, he might wake up staring at the lights.
This isn’t about proving himself anymore. This is about ticking boxes until the big fights land.
Event Info
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Venue: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland
Start Time: 10:00 p.m. local / 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT
Broadcaster: LIVE on DAZN
Tickets: Ticketmaster.com
Last Updated on 05/19/2025
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