Josh Taylor Reflects on Future After Shock Defeat to Essuman

Beaten Taylor Admits He’s “Gutted,” Says No Rush to Decide on Retirement

In the wake of a painful and unexpected defeat at the hands of Ekow Essuman, former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor is taking a moment to pause. This wasn’t how Taylor had envisioned his return to the ring—especially not in front of a partisan Glasgow crowd—and now, the 34-year-old Scot finds himself at a crossroads.

“I’m going to take a little bit of time just to think about what’s coming,” Taylor told BBC Scotland the morning after the fight. “I’ll just relax for a couple of weeks and not make any hasty decisions. If I really feel that I’m not performing, then I will hang them up.”

The sense of devastation in Taylor’s voice was unmistakable, and understandably so. This latest defeat—his third in a row—marks not just a statistical skid, but a potential turning point in a once-flawless career. For a fighter who scaled the very summit of the sport, unifying all four belts at light-welterweight in 2021, it’s a steep and sudden fall.

A Night to Forget at the Hydro

Taylor’s first outing at welterweight was expected to usher in a new chapter. Instead, it was the continuation of a troubling narrative. After a bright start in front of a raucous home crowd at the OVO Hydro, the Scotsman began to fade in the second half of the contest. As the rounds wore on, Essuman grew into the fight, and when the final bell rang, there was no controversy—only clarity. All three judges awarded the fight to Essuman.

The final decision prompted an emotional reaction from Taylor, who quickly left the ring and declined all post-fight interviews.

“I was just totally gutted, hence the reason why I jumped out of the ring,” Taylor explained. “My emotions were all over the place. I didn’t want to do an interview and end up saying something that I end up regretting.”

But while he may have avoided the media spotlight in the heat of the moment, Taylor was quick to show sportsmanship. “I just want to congratulate Ekow on a good performance and doing a good job and getting the win,” he said. “I congratulated him in the ring.”

He also admitted he regretted not acknowledging the support he received from fans in attendance. “The people in the arena lifted the roof off the place. The atmosphere was unbelievable again,” he said. “I really should have taken the time and opportunity to thank everybody for coming and continuing their support.”

A Champion’s Pride and a Fighter’s Doubt

Taylor

The loss has led to intensified speculation about whether Taylor should hang up his gloves. At 34, with a career that includes wins over Regis Prograis, Jose Ramirez, and Viktor Postol, he has little left to prove. But for the man himself, that internal battle is far from over.

“I’m just gutted because I know I am better than that,” Taylor said. “I know when I’m at my best, I can beat anyone.”

Still, he acknowledged that inactivity may have played a role in his recent decline. “If I’m going to keep going, I need to get more active and get out at least a couple of times a year,” he said. “Inactivity is definitely a problem. I haven’t fought more than once a year since 2019.”

Indeed, for a fighter who rose to prominence through sheer momentum—fighting top opposition consistently and fearlessly—the recent years have felt disjointed. A narrow and controversial decision win over Jack Catterall in 2022 led to widespread criticism, and subsequent losses have added further weight to the notion that the Tartan Tornado may be losing steam.

The Retirement Question: Too Soon or Overdue?

In boxing, retirement is often an agonising decision. Very few greats leave on a high—Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis are rare exceptions in a sport that rarely grants its warriors a graceful exit. For every tidy ending, there are countless others who stay just a fight or two too long, hoping for one last golden night that never comes.

Taylor’s face after the fight—bloodied, bruised, and burdened—told a familiar story. The kind of story that fight fans have seen too often, when a once-dominant force begins to look suddenly vulnerable.

And yet, there is still something there. The fire in his voice, the sting of disappointment, and the refusal to make a snap decision all point to a man not quite ready to shut the door.

“I’ll just take some time,” Taylor reiterated. “I’m not making any decision today.”

A Legacy Already Etched in Stone

Whatever Taylor decides, his legacy in British and world boxing is secure. As one of only a handful of men to have unified a division in the four-belt era, and the first Brit to do so at light-welterweight, his name is carved in boxing history.

His win over Jose Ramirez in 2021 will long be remembered as a masterclass in grit and skill—a fight that crowned him the undisputed king at 140lbs. That night in Las Vegas, Taylor became a national hero and fulfilled a childhood dream.

But time waits for no one, especially in the brutal world of prizefighting. Whether he continues at welterweight, returns to 140, or walks away entirely, one thing is certain: Taylor’s fighting spirit has never been in question.

Final Bell, or One Last Fight?

So, what comes next for Josh Taylor? For now, the answer is rest, reflection, and honesty with himself. He owes it to nobody but himself to make the right call—whether that’s another training camp or a well-earned retirement.

The boxing world will watch and wait. And whatever decision Taylor makes, he’ll do it as a man who has already given the sport some unforgettable nights.

Because whether or not the Tartan Tornado blows through the ring one last time, his storm has already left a lasting mark.