Shock Ekow Essuman win casts doubt over Josh Taylor’s future

He emerged to a tremendous ovation from the crowd in Glasgow, a city where so many of his greatest nights have taken place, and had the fans off their seats with an aggressive start, catching his 36-year-old opponent with some good shots.

Essuman took those well and came out fast in the third round, connecting with a big right hand that snapped Taylor’s head back and sent a message he was here to fight.

Then came the explosive fourth. Taylor sent Essuman back-pedalling towards the ropes with a peach of a shot, only for Essuman to respond in kind and wobble Taylor with a straight right hand.

The middle rounds saw the pace slow significantly, though a nasty cut opened around Taylor’s left eye in the seventh, possibly from a clash of heads.

Encouraged by the sight of blood running down his opponent’s face, Essuman came on strong in the eighth, backing Taylor up and finding gaps in his defence.

The underdog was picking his moments to strike well, though Taylor’s greater output perhaps just edged the ninth.

Essuman’s right hand found the bullseye again several times in the 10th as Taylor looked to be tiring.

The final round looked like it could be vital on the scorecards, and while the home crowd looked to rouse their hero for one last effort, neither fighter could land the decisive blow.

The scorecards of 116-113, 116-112, and 115-113 were met with dismay – though not disbelief – by the fans in the Hydro, who are now left to wonder if they will see the Tartan Tornado in a ring again.