Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman will mark Queensberry’s return to Scotland this May at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs), a former undisputed super lightweight champion, is moving up to 147 pounds and facing WBO European titlist Ekow Essuman (21-1, 8 KOs) in the main event. The card will also feature a featherweight showdown between Nathaniel Collins (15-0, 7 KOs) and Lee McGregor (15-1-1, 11 KOs), plus a cruiserweight clash pitting Aloys Jr. (9-1, 8 KOs) against David Jamieson (13-3, 10 KOs).
The bout was initially set to occur on May 3 but was postponed by Queensberry Promotions to May 24th.
Taylor, 34, has shared the ring with the likes of Jack Catterall, Regis Prograis, and Jose Ramirez. The Edinburgh native went pro after a standout amateur career capped by gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a run at the 2012 London Olympics. As a pro, Taylor rocketed through the ranks, securing Commonwealth, IBF, and WBA titles before unifying the division by outpointing Ramirez. Following a razor-thin win over Catterall, he lost his WBO belt in June 2024 to Teofimo Lopez. Now, "The Tartan Tornado" aims to regroup and chase world honors at welterweight.
Watch Taylor vs. Catterall 2 highlights: Watch
Essuman, known as "The Engine," has been collecting belts in the 147-pound division, including the British and Commonwealth titles. A lengthy amateur background with Team GB laid the groundwork for his strong professional run, which saw him defeat Chris Jenkins, Danny Ball, and Darren Tetley. Though his unbeaten streak was snapped by Harry Scarff in November 2023, Essuman bounced back with victories over Owen Cooper and Ben Vaughan, regaining the WBO European crown. He’s determined to stake his claim among the welterweight elite by toppling Taylor in Glasgow.
Watch Essuman vs. Vaughan highlights: Watch
In the co-main event, Nathaniel Collins (16-0, 7 KOs) vs. Lee McGregor (15-1-1, 11 KOs) will add a splash of local intrigue, as both men hail from Scotland. Collins is an unbeaten former British champion, while McGregor, a onetime European titleholder at bantamweight, brings fight-ending power and proven grit.
Moreover, Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 KOs) will return to the ring facing once-beaten Mike Balogun (21-1, 16 KOs) of the United States. Itauma had initially been linked to an undercard slot in April during Filip Hrgovic’s recent victory over Joe Joyce, but promoter Queensberry opted to shift him to the May 24 card. In Balogun, Itauma faces a fellow southpaw who comes from a unique background – before transitioning to boxing in 2014, Balogun played linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. While Balogun suffered his lone defeat via knockout to Murat Gassiev in March of last year, the American sees this chance as an opportunity to revive his career.
Fight card:
▪️Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman, 10 rounds, for the vacant WBO International welterweight title
▪️Nathaniel Collins vs. Lee McGregor, 10 rounds, for the vacant WBC Silver featherweight title
▪️Moses Itauma vs. Mike Balogun, 10 rounds, heavyweights
▪️Aloys Youmbi vs. David Jamieson, 10 rounds, cruiserweights
▪️Aston Brown vs. Reece Porter, 10 rounds, for the vacant BBBofC Scottish Area middleweight title
▪️Luke McCormack vs. TBA, 8 rounds, super lightweight
▪️Luke Bibby vs. TBA, 6 rounds, lightweights
▪️Marcus Sutherland vs. TBA, 6 rounds, super bantamweights
▪️Drew Limond vs. TBA, 4 rounds, welterweights
▪️Alex Arthur vs. Robbie Chapman, 4 rounds, super middleweights
▪️Lee Welsh vs. Tony Morton, 4 rounds, lightweights
▪️Reese Lynch vs. TBA, 4 rounds
