Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman Preview: Odds, Tips, and Prediction

Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 Kickoff Time: 21:00 (UTC+1) Venue: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland Broadcast: Live on DAZN SportsBoom previews the co-main event in Glasgow, where former undisputed champ Josh Taylor returns to his backyard, the OVO Hydro. The hope is to prove he's still a player at 147lbs. Across the ring stands Ekow Essuman, an unbeaten grinder who didn’t come to admire the architecture. Taylor needs a win. Essuman wants a name. If you like your fights spicy and your odds sharp, our online boxing betting page has you covered.

J.G.

Sports Writer

Last Updated: 2025-05-22

Fact checked by:

Chad Nagel

Sports & Betting Editor

5 minutes read

SportsBoom offers honest and impartial bookmaker reviews to help you make informed choices. While we may earn commissions through affiliate links, our content remains independent and free from promotional influence. For more information, see our Content Transparency and How We Review pages.

Josh Taylor in action against Regis Prograis//Getty Images

Table of Contents

What’s at Stake in Glasgow

No belt on the line, no eliminator status, and not even a shiny regional strap to pose with. But don’t be fooled, this fight matters, and both men know it. Josh Taylor isn’t just fighting in Glasgow; he’s fighting for what’s left of his credibility. Two losses in a row – one a Teofimo Lopez masterclass, the other a long-overdue receipt from Jack Catterall – have stripped Taylor of his pound-for-pound polish and left him looking more like a faded headliner than a future Hall of Famer. If he slips up again in front of his own people, it’s not a step back, it’s a cliff.

Then there’s Ekow Essuman, the uninvited guest who doesn’t mind playing the villain. He’s coming off a tight win over Ben Vaughan and sees this as his lottery ticket. Beat Taylor, and suddenly he’s not just a tough domestic fighter. He’s a legitimate welterweight contender. It might not have gold at stake, but someone’s career direction is about to take a hard left or a sharp right.

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability

Josh Taylor: 4/6 (1.67) – 59.9%
Draw: 18/1 (19.00) – 5.3%
Ekow Essuman: 6/4 (2.50) – 40.0%
Odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change

Expect sharp shifts closer to fight night. While Taylor’s resume still packs a punch, savvy punters might sniff value in Essuman’s underdog status. For fans of sports betting online, this is a high-risk, high-reward affair.

Tale of the Tape

Name	Josh Taylor	Ekow Essuman
Age	33	35
Height	5'10" (178 cm)	5'7" (170 cm)
Last Fight Weight	139.6 lbs (63.3 kg)	146.8 lbs (66.6 kg)
Reach	69.5” (177 cm)	70” (178 cm)
Record	19-2	21-1
Last 5 Fights	L-L-W-W-W	W-W-L-W-W
Nationality	Scotland	England
Fighting Out Of	Edinburgh	Nottingham

It’s practically a mirror match on paper, same height and similar reach, both with technical chops. But while Taylor’s been in with elite names, Essuman has been the king of consistency at a domestic level.

Josh Taylor News

Josh Taylor returns to the OVO Hydro with a home crowd behind him and his reputation hanging by a thread. The former undisputed champ hasn’t had his hand raised since 2022 and is coming off back-to-back losses, most recently a unanimous decision defeat to Jack Catterall in their long-anticipated rematch. Before that, he was thoroughly outboxed by Teofimo Lopez in a fight that got people seriously wondering about his timing, conditioning, and confidence. The move to 147 is meant to offer a reset. No more brutal weight cuts and, supposedly, a clearer mindset. He’s changed camps and stripped things back, aiming to rediscover the slick southpaw who once beat Prograis and Ramirez. But nostalgia doesn’t score rounds. If Taylor doesn’t show urgency, especially in the middle and late rounds, Essuman will be right there to turn Glasgow’s welcome home into a very loud wake-up call.

Ekow Essuman News

Ekow Essuman enters Glasgow with momentum on his side after a gritty majority decision win over Ben Vaughan in March 2024. It was a bounce-back performance following the only loss of his career, a unanimous decision defeat to Harry Scarff, where he struggled to find his usual rhythm. But rather than spiral, Essuman responded with sharper pressure, more patience, and the type of control that makes opponents work every second of every round. He isn’t flashy, but he doesn’t need to be. He’s beaten solid names like Chris Kongo, Samuel Antwi, and Danny Ball by forcing them into uncomfortable territory and never taking a backward step. While Taylor brings experience and home advantage, Essuman brings hunger, fitness, and a game plan designed to drown any lingering doubts Taylor may carry. If the fight becomes a grind, there’s every chance Essuman turns it into a long night for the man Glasgow came to cheer.

Suggested Bets

Fight to Go the Distance: Taylor isn’t a huge puncher at 147, and Essuman’s chin has been bulletproof. If both fighters box smart and avoid unnecessary risks, this one is likely to reach the final bell. 8/11 (1.73) – 57.9%
Josh Taylor to Win by Decision: The clearest route for Taylor is a controlled performance using his jab, footwork, and experience to edge rounds. With the home crowd behind him, judges may favour his cleaner work. 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
Over 9.5 Rounds: Neither man is known for early fireworks, and both are used to going the distance. A tactical chess match could mean this bout stretches deep into the later rounds. 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%

Value Bets

Ekow Essuman to Win by Split/Majority Decision: Essuman’s awkward style, work rate, and late-round pressure could steal swing rounds on the scorecards. If Taylor fades again, a narrow Essuman win isn’t out of the question. 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3%
Draw: Both men have gone the distance in tight fights before, and with Taylor fighting at home and Essuman pushing the tempo, the scorecards could split. 18/1 (19.00) – 5.3%
Taylor to Win in Rounds 7–12: If Taylor takes a few rounds to adjust but starts breaking Essuman’s rhythm mid-fight, the back half of the bout could swing heavily in his favour. A late surge might just secure him the nod. 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%

Prediction: Taylor by Decision

If this was Taylor circa 2019, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But it’s 2025, and those sharp edges are looking a bit blunted. Still, at home, with a full crowd behind him and under real pressure, expect the Scot to grind out a win. Essuman won’t make it easy. He’ll close the distance, maul in the clinch, and maybe even nick a few early rounds. But Taylor’s IQ and timing should keep him one step ahead on the cards. The pick is Josh Taylor by Unanimous Decision, though don’t be surprised if there are a few nervous moments along the way. If you're backing him, now might be a good time to jump in as some sportsbooks are offering a free signup bonus that'll sweeten the deal.

Joshua Gaillard Sports Writer

Joshua Gaillard is a freelance editor and dedicated Arsenal fan, known for creating fact-based, insightful content. His work, featured on top South African websites, blends analysis with engaging storytelling for clear, impactful articles.