- 2 days ago
Josh Taylor Vs Ekow Essuman
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#boxing #fullboxingreplays #boxingreplays #ufc #ufcreplays #ufcfullreplays
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00:00:00When I'm fighting on all cylinders, I can beat every fighter in the world.
00:00:05Yeah, perfect fight for Echo wrestling, man.
00:00:08He brings the fire. I'm back to being the hunter.
00:00:11This will be a colossal test.
00:00:15Oh, unbelievable!
00:00:18Unbelievable!
00:00:20This is what world champions are made of.
00:00:23He's doing it!
00:00:24And it will be something special.
00:00:30How magnificent does that look at night?
00:00:35The OVO arena. The OVO Hydro arena.
00:00:39Land of the brave.
00:00:40Josh Taylor versus Echo Wisserman.
00:00:42Josh Taylor undisputed at 140 pounds.
00:00:45Looking to become a two weight world champion.
00:00:47The quest starts now. The quest starts right now.
00:00:50And it's not going to be an easy one if he takes on the engine.
00:00:53Echo Wisserman.
00:00:54Josh Taylor, Echo Wisserman, coming up.
00:00:57Yeah, it's been a long time.
00:00:59I'm looking forward to coming back to Homeland Scotland.
00:01:01I'm born in Scotland, as we say.
00:01:03So, yeah, I'm looking forward to putting on a good show.
00:01:05I've spent my whole career being there a way fighter.
00:01:08I'm just going to enjoy it.
00:01:10I really like Echo as a person.
00:01:12Yeah, I'm looking forward to sharing the ring with him.
00:01:15But obviously getting down to business and taking care of business.
00:01:19He's determined and creative.
00:01:22But there are weaknesses there. Fundamental.
00:01:25Yeah, well, he's got a good engine. Good work rate.
00:01:28Looks physically strong.
00:01:29Looks like he can punch quite hard as well.
00:01:31But I don't intend on finding out.
00:01:33This fight just plays out with a Josh Taylor win.
00:01:35Devastating knockout.
00:01:36A barrage of punches and stopping him.
00:01:38A 12 round war.
00:01:39But everyone is me coming out on top.
00:01:41After this fight, I'm coming for the world title.
00:01:44Here we go. It's been a great night of boxing, to be fair.
00:01:51None of the fights going to the point.
00:01:53Everyone's wanting to go home early.
00:01:55Everyone in here has enjoyed themselves.
00:01:57And now they're waiting for this.
00:01:59The main event.
00:02:00Does Josh Taylor still have it?
00:02:02That's what the question is.
00:02:03That's the question.
00:02:04We will find out tonight.
00:02:05I actually got a feel of the ring.
00:02:08That's the first thing I don't want to get in here.
00:02:10I know Josh's best attribute is his feet.
00:02:13I think anyway.
00:02:14Very good job as well.
00:02:15But his feet for me.
00:02:16When they're on form.
00:02:17And when he's firing his feet.
00:02:18He's really, really hard to beat.
00:02:20It's a hard canvas.
00:02:21It's not soft.
00:02:22Which will allow him to get up on his toes.
00:02:25And move like we've seen him do before.
00:02:27But I think the jump to welterweight.
00:02:29Is what's going to really help Josh Taylor.
00:02:31Let's have a look at that form.
00:02:33And when you look at it.
00:02:34I mean, look.
00:02:35Jack Catchell.
00:02:36Two people over Jack Catchell.
00:02:37You could really say three to beat.
00:02:39The record books will say two.
00:02:40How can he get back to that Ramirez form?
00:02:43That's what.
00:02:44That's what put him on top of the bound to bound list.
00:02:46That's what really established him as one of the best fighters we've ever seen.
00:02:49Absolutely.
00:02:50I mean, the thing is.
00:02:51I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.
00:02:52The guy's the only ever British fighter.
00:02:55To win.
00:02:56I don't understand the title before Baldera.
00:02:58Yeah.
00:02:59He's incredible.
00:03:00And he's done it in about 25.
00:03:01Something like that.
00:03:02Absolutely incredible.
00:03:03Should have been sports personality.
00:03:04I mean, he should have won everything.
00:03:06And everybody across the world should know.
00:03:08He doesn't have the recognition he deserves.
00:03:10How does he get back there?
00:03:12Can he?
00:03:13I think he can.
00:03:14And I think a lot of it's down to moving out of the weight division.
00:03:17Moving out of the late welter weight division.
00:03:19Which clearly was killing him.
00:03:21And in fact, in performance.
00:03:22I am hoping we see a version of Josh that we haven't seen in quite a while.
00:03:27And back to his best.
00:03:29Karl, what's this?
00:03:30You've been through this obviously many times.
00:03:32What's it like this moment here?
00:03:34When you know it's do or die.
00:03:35You're about to walk out.
00:03:36You're getting your last piece of advice from your team.
00:03:39What's that moment like?
00:03:41It's nerve wracking.
00:03:43I think this is when it will for me anyway.
00:03:45That's when I started to get nervous just before the walk.
00:03:47But Josh, he's a confident guy.
00:03:50He's confident in his own ability.
00:03:51He'll be confident that the crowd is going to be on his side tonight.
00:03:54And make a lot of noise.
00:03:55And these are all things he can take with him into the fight.
00:03:58But he will understand that it's a tough night.
00:04:00And if he's not at his best or cloaked to his best.
00:04:03Echo could give him problems.
00:04:05A football analogy here.
00:04:07In football this would be like a 12th man.
00:04:09Yeah.
00:04:10What is a boxing analogy for this?
00:04:11Because they're all going to be for him, right?
00:04:13A third hand.
00:04:14They're going to give him a lot.
00:04:15A third hand.
00:04:16Well, maybe they'll say a third hand.
00:04:18Yeah.
00:04:19But he'll feed off this.
00:04:21Josh will feed off this.
00:04:23He'll be feeding off a great night as he's ready to do the walk.
00:04:28That run there is incredible, isn't it?
00:04:30I mean, again, the Jack Coucher one's an asterisk.
00:04:32But, I mean, Victor Postol, this is at the Hydro.
00:04:35Ryan Martin, who came here as a bit of, you know, hyped up by the Americans.
00:04:39Ivan Baranczyk was unbeaten at the time as well.
00:04:41Incredible run right here at the Hydro.
00:04:43Right here at the Hydro.
00:04:44I mean, the way he's done it, and even from the start of his pro career, there was no easy fights.
00:04:49They were all about progressing and improving him as a fighter.
00:04:53I think a lot of this part of his career here was with the McGuiggins.
00:04:56Yeah.
00:04:57I think one thing you do have to give him credit for is they're very good at matching fighters at the right time.
00:05:00They've done it well.
00:05:01And, I mean, he just, he's an incredible fighter.
00:05:04One of my favorite fighters.
00:05:06I hated boxing when I was a boxer.
00:05:08I'd done it because I had to.
00:05:09When the sessions were over, all I wanted to do was leave and get out of the place.
00:05:13I always hung around and watched Josh Taylor's bar because he was so special.
00:05:17This man's very good as well, though, isn't he?
00:05:19Echo Usman on a run himself.
00:05:20Just the one defeat.
00:05:21That was to Harry Scarfe.
00:05:22He's done this the hard way.
00:05:24As happens when you don't have a stellar amateur career, you have to find a way to do it.
00:05:28He's 36.
00:05:29He's in the best shape you could possibly be in.
00:05:32He's going to be a problem.
00:05:33He is going to be a problem.
00:05:34He is going to be a problem.
00:05:35A lot of people, a lot of people in the trade who know Josh and Echo.
00:05:39And I would kind of trust their judgment a lot of the time.
00:05:42A lot of them are saying Echo might win this fight tonight.
00:05:45So, I don't think it's the gimme that a lot of people are thinking it is.
00:05:48Josh understands that, I'm sure.
00:05:51It's going to be a tight fight.
00:05:53But if we can see even glimpses of the version that we've seen of Josh, sorry, Josh Taylor
00:06:00against Ramirez, against Postal, against Progre, then he should win the fight.
00:06:04Is it a case that Josh just has to be slick, has to use, again, you mentioned those legs
00:06:08and they've always been good for him.
00:06:09That back foot fighting has always been great.
00:06:12Slick southpaw.
00:06:13Use that.
00:06:14Don't get stuck in.
00:06:15Absolutely.
00:06:16Don't listen to the crowd too much.
00:06:17If you need them, then you can use them.
00:06:18But his feet, he's in and out with his feet.
00:06:20And that's regenerates the bar because of his good feet work.
00:06:23He's got a way base, but he punches correctly.
00:06:26He punches sharply.
00:06:28And I'm hoping, I have a feeling, just because of Echo's style, we're going to see a version
00:06:35of Josh that we have seen in a while.
00:06:37And telling me to stop talking, but before we do that, I want to quickly show you the
00:06:40welterweight ranking.
00:06:41So this is, at the moment, considered by many, the top five welterweights on the planet right
00:06:46now.
00:06:47We can put it up on the screen.
00:06:48This is what Josh wants to be with, isn't it?
00:06:50Jaron Ennis, Brian Norman, I mean, look, Stanley Onis, Barrios, Santilline there as well.
00:06:56That's a good list.
00:06:57It's a good list.
00:06:58It's a good list.
00:06:59I have a feeling Annis is probably going to move up at some point, maybe have one more
00:07:03fight in the division and then move up to the next one, which will free up a couple of
00:07:06the battles.
00:07:07But there's killers in that list.
00:07:09Yeah.
00:07:10But I mean, it's something that Josh is used to.
00:07:12He's fought killers and beaten killers before.
00:07:13So he'd be excited at the prospect of fighting some of those names.
00:07:17Yeah.
00:07:18He's a killer himself, right?
00:07:19He's a killer himself.
00:07:20All right.
00:07:21Here we go.
00:07:22Main event.
00:07:23We've been waiting for this one ever since it was muted back in the last year.
00:07:25It got announced early this year.
00:07:26We're here now.
00:07:27Josh Taylor versus Echo Hussman.
00:07:29Josh Taylor bidding to become a two-weight world champion.
00:07:32The road to that starts today.
00:07:34Let's throw down to Adam Smith for tell to the tape for our main event here at the Hydro
00:07:38in Scotland.
00:07:39You said it, Addy.
00:07:40Here we go.
00:07:41And what a setting for this.
00:07:44Josh Taylor loves, loves this venue.
00:07:49And it will be electric in a few minutes' time when he makes his walk to the ring.
00:07:55He's two years younger.
00:07:56Both of them, though, in that stage of their careers where they cannot afford to slip up.
00:08:03The stronger, bigger, natural welterweight.
00:08:06Echo Hussman in real form.
00:08:09But the talent and the skills, as Karl was saying.
00:08:12Beautiful to watch Josh Taylor at his very best.
00:08:17But how much of his very best still remains?
00:08:21Fascinating.
00:08:22Thomas.
00:08:27Live worldwide on DAZN.
00:08:31Let's now welcome to the ring our main event participants.
00:08:37First, from England.
00:08:39Echo the engine.
00:08:42Assumin.
00:09:01Dressed to impress.
00:09:16And into the lion's den once more comes the intelligent, likeable, seasoned, fit,
00:09:22Nottingham, ten stone seven powerhouse.
00:09:25Echo Hussman.
00:09:27He's got major experience.
00:09:29He's always on the circuit.
00:09:31He's been in a couple of fight of the year contenders in 2024.
00:09:36Now up north of the border.
00:09:38Up in class.
00:09:39And in terms of natural skill set.
00:09:43But he's got a starry Scottish knight here.
00:09:46And he will not be fazed.
00:09:49And now let's welcome the former world champion.
00:10:06From right here.
00:10:07Scotland.
00:10:08Josh.
00:10:09The Tartan Tornado.
00:10:10Taylor.
00:10:11The Tartan Tornado.
00:10:12TAYLOR.
00:10:13T-L-O-R-R-R-R.
00:10:14T-L-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R.
00:10:15Choose life, choose a job, choose a career, choose confidence, choose a white jersey, choose the WBC, IPS, WA and WTO, choose like a city, choose your country, choose to pronounce what they want to take you on, choose a rematch, choose not to feel sorry for yourself, choose to move up to 147, take on the challenge and do it all again.
00:10:45Choose being the best fucking fighter of this generation.
00:10:49I chose not to choose life, I chose something else and the reasons, there are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got lockdown?
00:11:15Take care.
00:11:23Ah.
00:11:26Ah.
00:11:26Ah.
00:12:27The return of their Scottish brave heart.
00:12:31The immensely successful Tartan Tornado, George Taylor.
00:12:36He's ready to feel the back of passionate and fervent support.
00:12:48Scottish boxing definitely back tonight and it's great to see guys.
00:13:01The atmosphere in here is electric and this man here, what he's done in his career to date, exceptional.
00:13:10But there are questions, Adam.
00:13:14There really are.
00:13:15How much is left?
00:13:16How will he fare now at welterweight?
00:13:22You can feel it, can't you, Barry?
00:13:24The atmosphere and the tension.
00:13:27Once he steps on that stage, the roof is going to come off.
00:13:30It's been already exciting, but now it's going to go crazy.
00:13:33Look how focused he is.
00:13:51The energy here.
00:13:56Remarkable.
00:13:57Oh, the shelf, self-worth skills still there.
00:14:02The light beat.
00:14:04The power.
00:14:05At his best.
00:14:06He was in the pound for pound conversation.
00:14:10What is the next chapter for Josh Taylor?
00:14:14It's a cacophony of noise.
00:14:19One of the best venues and fight beavers we've had all year.
00:14:24Super.
00:14:30Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for our featured bout.
00:14:34It is scheduled for 12 rounds, and it will be for the vacant WBO Global Welterweight Championship.
00:14:44Brought to you by Frank Warren for Queensberry.
00:14:48Along with their great sponsors, Riyot Season, 32 Red, That Prize Guy, Unibet, and Global Next Trade.
00:14:57It is sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control, steward in charge, John Swanson.
00:15:02Along with the World Boxing Organization, President Gustavo Olivieri, Supervisor Isfano Kovac, Timekeeper Jim Kirkwood.
00:15:13Our three judges aside will be Zoltan Inieti of Ukraine, John Latham of England, and Giulio Piras of Italy.
00:15:26Our referee in charge will be Bob Williams of England.
00:15:32And now, boxing fans joining us live worldwide, and boxing fans here in Glasgow, Scotland.
00:15:46The time has arrived for the main event of the evening.
00:15:54Introducing, fighting tonight out of the red corner, he comes to the ring wearing black, white, and purple, and weighted officially at 146.4 pounds.
00:16:13Coming to us, from Nottingham, England, he brings a professional record of 21 wins.
00:16:20Just one defeat, with eight wins coming by way of knockout.
00:16:26Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the former British, English, and Commonwealth Champion,
00:16:31and the former WBO European, and WBC International Silver, Welterweight Champion, Echo The Engine SMA!
00:16:45And his opponent across the ring in this main event, fighting tonight out of the blue corner,
00:16:58he comes to the ring wearing Taylor Tartan trunks, and weighted officially at 146.8 pounds.
00:17:06His professional record, 19 wins, two defeats, 13 of his 19 wins, coming by way of knockout.
00:17:17Ladies and gentlemen, here is the former undisputed, Super Lion League, Champion of the World,
00:17:25and the fighting pride, of Cluston Pans, Scotland, Josh, the Tartan Tornado, Taylor!
00:17:37Okay, gentlemen, obey my commands.
00:17:53In the event of a knockdown, the fighters stand in, we'll go to the furthest future corner and stay there.
00:17:59Protect yourself at all times.
00:18:01Beltline there, guys, okay?
00:18:04Touch gloves.
00:18:04Kenny Buchanan, Jim Watt, Gary Jacobs, Scott Harrison, the late Willie Lemond, Alex Arthur, who's here tonight,
00:18:14Drew Doherty, Ricky Burns, Hannah Ranking, and of course, Josh Taylor,
00:18:20have given us so many wonderful nights north of the border.
00:18:25Have we got another one?
00:18:27Awesome atmosphere.
00:18:28Josh Taylor, Josh Taylor, at 34, he needs to relay his fabulous career.
00:18:35It's stalled lately and significantly.
00:18:39What about Echo Esserman?
00:18:41Life-changing opportunity on this lofty platform.
00:18:47Levels, weight, timing, a blend of styles.
00:18:50So much to find out there.
00:18:53It really is.
00:18:55Look, Esserman, Nick Penn, the engine.
00:18:57And you know what?
00:18:58He does not stop.
00:18:59He looks to grind you down and make you suffer.
00:19:03But don't be fooled by his boxing.
00:19:05You can box.
00:19:06The variety works the body really, really well.
00:19:09But he's stepping up.
00:19:10A number of levels here against Josh Taylor, who's been exceptional with what he's done in his career.
00:19:16Like I say, there are questions, though.
00:19:18How much is there?
00:19:19How would he fare at this weight, this new weight at Walter?
00:19:23Brilliant, brilliant clash of styles.
00:19:25Josh Taylor, at his peak, was as good as a box fighter you'd ever find.
00:19:29He was just perfect.
00:19:31The boxing getting into distance, and inside there, he would just roll it in and out.
00:19:35The man with punches inside, he was strong in particular shots.
00:19:38Fast hands from Taylor, early.
00:19:44He looks to get into a rhythm.
00:19:46The centre ring, pumping that jab out.
00:19:49Early signs for the Scottish fans are good.
00:19:53He's doing the right thing here, Taylor.
00:19:54Take the centre of the ring.
00:19:56He's the one who's with all the experience and box at a higher level.
00:19:58He's just standing in authority early in the fight.
00:20:00He just made me put a bit of a worry and a bit of panic into Esserman's work, potentially.
00:20:05Because he's stepping up a level here.
00:20:06He's been a brilliant fighter at his level.
00:20:07Sometimes I step up, it just makes you better at all.
00:20:10You just find out you don't really belong there just yet.
00:20:13Yeah, I think that's why Esserman's taking his time here.
00:20:16He's not rushing.
00:20:17He wants to see what this level's all about.
00:20:19That was a good right hand from Esserman,
00:20:21who will surely have that power as a natural 10-7 match.
00:20:28It's a really good start now.
00:20:30Taylor is getting his punches through.
00:20:33And Esserman has to hold.
00:20:36Fabulous first couple of minutes here.
00:20:38That's that, with a good body shot with the left hand there from Taylor.
00:20:40Then he chased him down then.
00:20:42Chased him down and walked really well.
00:20:44This is Taylor saying, you're not in my league, son.
00:20:47Welcome, welcome to the big league.
00:20:51The speed has most definitely carried up to 10-7.
00:20:56The boxing IQ that he's always had.
00:20:59And it seems like the fire and the delegation are back.
00:21:04Esserman just trying to establish his physicality, the strength.
00:21:11But he's slower.
00:21:11He's much slower.
00:21:13Esserman's weapon is that right hand.
00:21:14He's worked so well.
00:21:15Especially against the Southcourt.
00:21:16If you can time Taylor coming in, Taylor can be caught.
00:21:20Yeah, against Ben Bourne, he's through that.
00:21:23Right hand so well.
00:21:26He threw the shot brilliantly.
00:21:27It's been a very, very good opening round from Josh Taylor.
00:21:32Slip straight back into a rhythm and has a new Taylor.
00:21:42Fight night on DAZN.
00:21:44Brought to you by that prize guy.
00:21:47A pivot round then we set the game.
00:21:49Welcome back to another huge fight night.
00:21:51Live on DAZN, Joe.
00:21:53Digital in O'Rourke who's gone with Josh Taylor.
00:21:55A while now used to train with Shane McRiggan.
00:22:00He really has been such a tip-top classy fighter.
00:22:06Remember, holding all four belts as the Undisputed Champion.
00:22:11That's super lightweight.
00:22:12Up at Welterweight now.
00:22:14This is his debut, his Queensbury debut as well, Josh Taylor.
00:22:18The white and black shorts have echoed the injured Essamon.
00:22:22Really popular figure from Nottingham.
00:22:2536 now.
00:22:26And he gives absolutely everything.
00:22:29And this is self-belief.
00:22:30And that right hand has got through a couple of times.
00:22:33That's the shot for Essamon.
00:22:34That lead.
00:22:36Leading with that right hand.
00:22:37Oh, it's a good left-wing though from Taylor.
00:22:39Fantastic shot.
00:22:41And look at what he gets up.
00:22:41Look at that front foot there for Taylor.
00:22:43He literally puts it right behind the knee foot there at Essamon.
00:22:46That allows him to punch right through the tiger with that left hand.
00:22:49He fully commits to it.
00:22:50His footwork has always been exceptional.
00:22:53Josh Taylor, who struggled here against Jack Cattrall in that really controversial outcome.
00:22:59There's another right hand for Echo Essamon that will give the red corner some confidence here despite being outboxed early.
00:23:08Well, Taylor can switch off at times.
00:23:09I think that's important.
00:23:11If Essamon can notice that, the little pattern when he just switches off and on again.
00:23:14That's your opportunity to jump on him.
00:23:17But it's difficult.
00:23:18You know, Taylor has that grip as well when he takes the shot.
00:23:21He wants to fire back.
00:23:22He can pay for it.
00:23:24He's always been good, hasn't he?
00:23:26Under pressure.
00:23:27Getting inside and fighting fire with fire as well as using his sharp shooting skills.
00:23:33I mean, look, in his prime, he was able to do it all.
00:23:38He really was.
00:23:38But the power here, very evident.
00:23:41You can see he's punching hard at Walter Waite.
00:23:45It's a lovely combination there.
00:23:47He punches really fast before he moves the feet.
00:23:50And then just slid at it like an extra inch closer to go again.
00:23:54Utilising his backhand really well.
00:23:56Early, Josh Taylor.
00:23:58He has to be wary of the right hand of Echo Essamon.
00:24:03And he ain't knockouts on that record for Essamon.
00:24:05But he is the natural, much bigger guy.
00:24:09Maybe not taller, but look at the huge shoulders he's got.
00:24:13And the condition he's in.
00:24:14And that right hand, we've already spoken about, is the weapon.
00:24:18Love to see him just really take the head off the line to the left outside once he's thrown the right hand.
00:24:24Then look for that left to the body.
00:24:26A very, very good body puncher, Essamon.
00:24:28That's what you've got to be careful of.
00:24:30Wild with the right hand, though.
00:24:32Yeah, he does that quite often.
00:24:33He's got right foot forward and squares himself.
00:24:35You've got to be careful he doesn't get caught coming in like that, Essamon.
00:24:38Good defence there from Taylor.
00:24:44Goes again, Essamon is what he called in the engine.
00:24:48Non-stop.
00:24:50Often late drama in Echo Essamon fights.
00:24:54Taylor trying to punch through the guard.
00:24:57With that advantage in speed and mobility.
00:25:01Good work from Taylor.
00:25:02And Taylor works the body of Essamon.
00:25:03Fight night on DAZN.
00:25:14Brought to you by that prize guy.
00:25:16Block, block, block.
00:25:17Carrington Brown.
00:25:19And Nottingham's stalwart is always in the corner.
00:25:22And Echo Essamon is a family man.
00:25:24And a lovely guy around the circuit.
00:25:27We always see him, don't we?
00:25:28Smile on his face.
00:25:30Looks after the young kids as well.
00:25:32In Nottingham, in the area, he's a great guy.
00:25:35He really does give you that impression that he's living the dream.
00:25:40But will it turn into a nightmare?
00:25:43With a fast fist of Josh Taylor.
00:25:45Who's trying to reinvent himself.
00:25:47But there's the right hand.
00:25:49And Echo Essamon.
00:25:50That's the danger shot.
00:25:52It's gone through two, three times now.
00:25:54And Josh Taylor for all his razzle-dazzle.
00:25:57That's been just pulling his tracks a little by that right hand.
00:26:01As you say, that just switches off every now and again, Taylor.
00:26:04The first shot, fair enough, he switched off and got caught with the second one,
00:26:08which he shouldn't have got caught with, really.
00:26:09But it was good for Essamon there.
00:26:10He got a good success and he worked off it straight away.
00:26:13Yeah, more intent, more desire, more aggression, with the hands and the feet.
00:26:18I think he needs to do that in patches.
00:26:21Four or five shots, take a step back, then go again.
00:26:25That jab of Josh Taylor, home in a brilliant anti-career.
00:26:34And has served him so well.
00:26:36And Essamon again, opening up and the right hand to the head and to the body.
00:26:43But he won't have been hit like this before at this weight.
00:26:45Like I say, them first couple of rounds could have been a case of Essamon just having a look.
00:26:49Like I say, this is stepping up a level.
00:26:51You don't know, you can do all the sparring in the world with top-level fighters.
00:26:55Just watch until you get in there, under the black lights,
00:26:58if you know if you belong there or not, how good those fighters are.
00:27:01Right hook there from Josh Taylor, just on the temple there of Essamon.
00:27:06I think Essamon in the corner, they were saying,
00:27:08what's the power like?
00:27:09And he sort of stripped his head and said, nothing great.
00:27:11But it might not be the power, it might be the speed and the angle of the shot,
00:27:14the ones he doesn't see.
00:27:16He takes that step to the right so well, Taylor,
00:27:19to throw that left hand to either head or body.
00:27:21That was a nice shot, his come close as he threw that left to the body.
00:27:30Styles are gelling really well here.
00:27:33They have done a bit of sparring back in their Team GB days,
00:27:37but that was an age ago.
00:27:40A world apart from where they are now.
00:27:42Josh Taylor trying to get his career started again after this inactivity.
00:27:48Echo Essamon looking for a world title shot.
00:27:52Believes he deserves it after a really good career.
00:27:57And how he excites this Echo Essamon.
00:28:05Josh Taylor working the body.
00:28:08There's that right hand, he missed with the shot there,
00:28:10but he was in the position to throw the left to the body after.
00:28:14There was a little bit of a dip on that to the side there from Taylor
00:28:16for making him miss with that shot.
00:28:19Let me tell you, he's just got to keep the pressure on here, Josh Taylor.
00:28:21That's when he's the most effective.
00:28:24As long as he's trained hard, his tank is full.
00:28:28And that's the King GB.
00:28:29And a right hand from Taylor.
00:28:31Just not settled at SOS.
00:28:33Oh!
00:28:35He's held a big shot.
00:28:37And look at that.
00:28:38This is great.
00:28:39Meanwhile, Hitchens, Camposus, Junior,
00:28:48Saturday, June the 14th,
00:28:50the IBF World Super Lightweight Belt on the line
00:28:53in New York.
00:28:55It's another mega matchup brought to you by DAZN.
00:28:58Part of your unrivaled subscription fights virtually every night.
00:29:04We're in Doncaster for a big one last night.
00:29:07Scotland tonight, it's non-stop Darabonga.
00:29:11Yeah, we've been sport, haven't we?
00:29:13And this is starting off nicely.
00:29:15Better signs from Essamon there.
00:29:17Landon, a lovely right hand.
00:29:18Followed it up with some really, really good work.
00:29:21Just more intent, as I say.
00:29:23More fire, more aggression.
00:29:26Seem to...
00:29:27Just take a little bit of the legs away from Taylor there.
00:29:31But it was the right hand.
00:29:32I'm not sure if we're going to see it right at the very end.
00:29:34Just seem to stiffen the legs of Taylor.
00:29:37And Taylor walks to the wrong corner as well.
00:29:38Let's make a note of that.
00:29:43I want to bring Carl in to see how he's assessed the first three rounds.
00:29:48I know you know Josh Taylor so well.
00:29:50What are your thoughts, Carl?
00:29:52I have him one round up.
00:29:53I gave him the first two and Echo the second round.
00:29:56A really good round for Mac...
00:29:57Or the third round, sorry.
00:29:58A good round for Macle.
00:29:59Landed that right hand a couple of times.
00:30:01And we'd seen it land once or twice just in the previous round.
00:30:03I think he was getting a little bit closer.
00:30:05But I'd just like to see Josh getting back his boxing a bit more.
00:30:08He's not mixing it.
00:30:08He doesn't have to mix it.
00:30:09Look at the length and the reach he has of an advantage on Echo.
00:30:13Boxing at distance.
00:30:14And then maybe at a stage you can start the fight then.
00:30:17But I have the impression here he's trying to...
00:30:21He's playing up to the crowd a little bit once he impress other people.
00:30:23There's real glimpses though, Carl, of the old Taylor.
00:30:27That ruzzle-duzzle at times.
00:30:29Absolutely.
00:30:30The hand speed, the punch selection, the height...
00:30:33I mean, the position he gets into and the distance he covers when he's punching is phenomenal.
00:30:38So we're seeing glimpses of the old Josh Taylor.
00:30:41I think a lot of that's down to the weight and moving up with the weight division that he should have been in a long time ago.
00:30:46But also, Carl, doesn't he have to be impressive though tonight?
00:30:50I think he does.
00:30:51Unless he says he's pulled into the crowd, he has to be.
00:30:52I know, I think he does.
00:30:53I think he does have to be impressive.
00:30:54But I just think I'd like to see him maybe just be a little bit more relaxed early on
00:30:59and then maybe put the foot on the paddle down the stretch.
00:31:01Yeah, there's got to be some nerves even with all his experience, Josh Taylor.
00:31:05He knows he's got to get this right under the watchful eye of the new promoters,
00:31:11Queensbury, live on the zone.
00:31:13And Echo Esserman has just got this golden opportunity.
00:31:17He's been plugging away, Darren, hasn't he?
00:31:20And he will want to try and take this into deep waters
00:31:23and test Taylor's heart and desire at this stage of his career.
00:31:27Exactly, find out how much...
00:31:29Oh, good left hand!
00:31:32Lovely left hand for Taylor.
00:31:36Esserman felt that and he's got a good chin, Echo Esserman.
00:31:39But it was the speed of the shot.
00:31:41Oh, good, it was the speed of the shot from Esserman.
00:31:42It was the speed of the shot from Taylor.
00:31:44Oh, right out from Esserman.
00:31:46And this is swinging one way, then the other in this fourth round.
00:31:51And suddenly Esserman has a breakthrough.
00:31:54What a brilliant round, still 40-odd seconds to go.
00:31:57Both having success.
00:32:00Esserman got a dip low there and just throw that right hand over the top.
00:32:02Just fully commit with it.
00:32:04Take that step forward and just believe in it.
00:32:06I tell you what, we're all looking forward to this fight.
00:32:09Never mind what Josh Taylor and Echo Esserman might do in the future.
00:32:13When this match was made, wow.
00:32:15In reality, it's living up to it.
00:32:18Absolutely.
00:32:18Look, we all knew of the pedigree down at a level from Esserman.
00:32:22The way he works and tries to guard, as I say, his opponents down.
00:32:26And that's where the questions for me really come from.
00:32:30How would Taylor fare with this sort of pressure?
00:32:32But it's been some heavy punching from both in this round.
00:32:35Wonderful.
00:32:38Swapping artillery.
00:32:41The two of them going to war early.
00:32:45Great Josh.
00:32:46Swap it up, son.
00:32:47Fantastic again.
00:32:48Pass on and death.
00:32:49No, it's a shite.
00:32:51You won it.
00:32:52Now listen to me.
00:32:53You've caught him with a nice counter.
00:32:55Offsetting the jab up, son.
00:32:57And executing it.
00:32:58Being patient, moving ahead.
00:33:00It gives you the opportunity.
00:33:02It's just about keeping your shape and using your jab, okay?
00:33:05But don't be stupid enough to be going for the kill, Josh,
00:33:08when he's got a lot of the juice left, okay?
00:33:11Because you've caught yourself there.
00:33:13Listen to me, son.
00:33:15Good advice there.
00:33:17Keep your shape.
00:33:18Utilise the jab.
00:33:20He's got the skills, Barry.
00:33:21It's what we were saying about, you know, he switches off now and again.
00:33:23And Carl saying about, you know, remember, you can box.
00:33:26I think he has to be the pressure fighter here.
00:33:27But he can't do it from the range.
00:33:29He can move behind the long side.
00:33:30He doesn't need to go the distance.
00:33:32But as we're down to the shot,
00:33:33he's not switching off in that little space there.
00:33:36Along with Essamon, the chance to get in.
00:33:37Because Essamon is not a big puncher, but he's heavy-handed.
00:33:42A few years since Josh Taylor really lit up the scene.
00:33:46That win over Regis Progray.
00:33:47Of course, Jose Ramirez.
00:33:51Fabulous stuff.
00:33:52But the wheels just have come off lately in his career.
00:33:56And he might have to dig deep here against Echo Essamon.
00:34:00He's boxing well, Taylor, but Essamon's dangerous.
00:34:04He got caught with a temple shot there, Taylor.
00:34:06Just unsteady the legs.
00:34:07He's got them back under his feet again here.
00:34:09But he's got to be careful with that.
00:34:11Get that club a little bit higher with that left hand.
00:34:14The body language is good from Essamon as well.
00:34:17He knows he can hurt the local man here.
00:34:20He's really starting to plant his feet and let heavy shots go.
00:34:23I'd like to see a bit more variation with that left hand from Taylor.
00:34:26He loops it in so well to the body.
00:34:28I'd like to see him then fire it back upstairs.
00:34:32He heard the corner.
00:34:33Keep your shape.
00:34:34Use the jab.
00:34:36But Essamon giving him no real respect.
00:34:39Trying to walk him down.
00:34:41And really strong.
00:34:43Look strong here, Adam.
00:34:44Very strong.
00:34:45See what, the street punches from Taylor are just so effective.
00:34:51Not much between punches thrown.
00:34:55Look at the power shots landing from Taylor.
00:34:5847 is...
00:34:59compared to the 27 of Essamon.
00:35:03Yep, the quality shots from Taylor.
00:35:06Looking for that body again.
00:35:07Round of applause from the blue corner.
00:35:11And when he finds the space and he takes his time,
00:35:14his world can be beautiful, Josh Taylor.
00:35:17But Essamon just keeps marching forward.
00:35:20And if he can take Taylor's power...
00:35:22But I don't think it's the right shot selection from that far out.
00:35:25I think he's a lot...
00:35:26Because he's making...
00:35:27He's known Essamon the chance to land with him.
00:35:29I mean, he can do that shot.
00:35:30That's the reason he's also a straight shot.
00:35:31Then take that step and do that shot.
00:35:33It's the right punch, but the wrong time.
00:35:41Gloves high there from Essamon.
00:35:43Can't match him in speed, but can in other departments.
00:35:47He's probably learning a lot about himself in there as well.
00:35:50Echo Essamon tonight.
00:35:51Yeah, for sure.
00:35:52Some good work there when he's not throwing, Taylor.
00:35:54Sort of dipping the knees, slipping either side.
00:35:57That's lovely.
00:35:58Can't the right hook there.
00:35:59Beautiful shot.
00:36:00Wonderful shot.
00:36:01Just round the side of the head.
00:36:02Right hand.
00:36:03Taylor on his toes now.
00:36:05This is where he really excites the crowd.
00:36:08That's why they love him.
00:36:09He gets a bump to a step.
00:36:10When he has a bit of success, there's a little bumps to a step.
00:36:12And then he gets a bit more energy in his work, Taylor.
00:36:15The thing is, when you've got someone like Essamon, though,
00:36:16he's always going to fire back.
00:36:18So you've got to be aware of what's going to come back
00:36:19when you are being ultra-aggressive.
00:36:21Just out of range, Echo Essamon, but the right hand
00:36:27attempting to squeak through the middle, down the pipe,
00:36:32trying to rattle Taylor.
00:36:35That's great, though, when Josh Taylor finds the room.
00:36:40Feet working nicely.
00:36:41Crowd loving it.
00:36:42He's going to be a little bit.
00:36:44He's going to be a little bit.
00:36:46He's going to be a little bit.
00:36:48Yeah?
00:36:49You can step up with a couple of in that.
00:36:51Yeah?
00:36:52Stop waiting.
00:36:52Stop waiting.
00:36:54Yeah?
00:36:55He's right out of ideas.
00:36:56He's doing the same shots.
00:36:58Yeah?
00:37:03Look at all the spots together.
00:37:06Combination towards it, man.
00:37:07When you put your foot, you don't throw.
00:37:09Come back up with that fast spot.
00:37:11Keep in your seat.
00:37:12You're getting 10% more work mate, just a little bit more work.
00:37:18A little bit, a little bit, they want more combinations down.
00:37:22Hold it, he's having a rest of that point.
00:37:23That's the way he does so well, boy you're busy, he's got to be smart in the way he approaches.
00:37:30Those flurries are shots, can't be reckless.
00:37:33Have you got it at the moment?
00:37:36I've got a tag closer than the rest of the guys, I gave Essamon that last round.
00:37:40Let's bring Karl in, I want to see what you think of the last couple, I know how you scored the first three.
00:37:47I give Josh that last round, I think he had a decent round there actually.
00:37:51But I do think what Barry was saying, he has a good point and Josh has thrown the wrong shot,
00:37:57sorry, doing it at the wrong time.
00:37:59He's trying to throw that kind of bolo left hand into the body, but he's getting too close to do it.
00:38:06And I learn, I got a chance to land, I just don't think he needs to be that close at that stage.
00:38:12But I have him well in front.
00:38:14Yep, I've got it exactly the same, I thought Taylor won that fifth round, but it's a bit unfair,
00:38:20I think on Echo Essamon's effort and those right hands that get through because the judges might have
00:38:26like those, but the work rate of Taylor has been effective.
00:38:30But it is still early, not even halfway, and Essamon we know comes on well late.
00:38:37But it's about who dictates them, forget about the pace of the fight, it's about who dictates the pace.
00:38:41If you're, if you're boxing that frantic because you're in control of it, it's easier for you.
00:38:46And if you slow the pace down and make a fight that you want to fight the high pace slowing down,
00:38:50then he tires as well. So whoever dictates the pace is in charge of the fight.
00:38:56Targeting the body, Essamon.
00:39:00And the jab there, combinations of the corner.
00:39:03That's good work from Echo Essamon.
00:39:09Yeah, it is good work. I'm about to see Taylor fire off of those shots though, countering the left up.
00:39:14Digging in that left hook to the body, trying to test Taylor's resilience at the stage of his career.
00:39:21He's 34, Essamon's 36, but maybe fresher.
00:39:27Yeah, he hasn't had the walls, now Taylor's actually, he hasn't boxed at that level of course.
00:39:30I mean Taylor's roots to win a world title was as tough and as brilliant as I've ever seen.
00:39:35It was phenomenal. Too undisputed of course.
00:39:38Yep, Scottish legend forever, Josh Taylor, whatever happens next.
00:39:43But he so wants to become a two-weight world champion.
00:39:46Essamon just wants to challenge for a world title.
00:39:51An honest, really good all-round fighter, who's trying his very best.
00:39:57Yes, better round for Essamon here.
00:40:00Good right hook, called Taylor high on the head.
00:40:05Good defense as well.
00:40:07Yeah, he does love them, he chucks up well, moves the head.
00:40:09He looks like Taylor just sharp over that jab, just pouring it out a little bit too much at the minute.
00:40:18Marking up under the left eye of Josh Taylor, who has been susceptible to cuts over the years.
00:40:24But that never bothers him, he just bites down on the gun shield and gets on with it.
00:40:30I mean, that fire, that spite, that desire to get stuck in from Taylor, even though he's so pulsed as a fighter,
00:40:37is so good for us all to watch as fans.
00:40:40And it will be a special night in New York City, a blockbuster card to Shakur Stevenson, William Zubayda, Edgar Belanga and Zishiraz.
00:41:08Another memorable title boxing in the Big Apple.
00:41:16America starting to rumble again, it's good to see.
00:41:20Yeah, it's some big, big fights over the pond.
00:41:25What venue this is, what an atmosphere we've had already this evening.
00:41:30But it looks like MSG, doesn't it, from that angle.
00:41:32It does.
00:41:33Mountain Square Gardens, of course.
00:41:34It's a cracking venue here in Glasgow, and it's happy hunting ground for Josh Taylor,
00:41:40his sixth appearance in this.
00:41:41He's won all five, although, of course, that jack catcher won, highly controversial.
00:41:46Echo Essamon into the second half of this welterweight battle, and again attempts the right hand,
00:41:52which has given him success, but is Taylor.
00:41:56Well, as he rounds up, Essamon, I thought, that's winning the last one.
00:42:00He did, but I still think, I still have got Taylor ahead here.
00:42:02But when Essamon lands with a good shot, if he can just quicken his feet down,
00:42:06just keep him putting more pressure on Taylor.
00:42:08He lands with a good shot now and again, allows Taylor to escape a little bit more.
00:42:11He's just the Nasdaq right hand, just bring the feet forward quicker and throw the same shot again.
00:42:19Marching forward, Echo Essamon, only one defeat on his record to Harry Scarf,
00:42:24and he's an awkward fighter.
00:42:28Very awkward, to say the least.
00:42:30Body shots, yeah.
00:42:31This is what he does well.
00:42:33Essamon, he works the body well.
00:42:34That was a good right hook, though, back from Taylor.
00:42:37That was a good thing there from Taylor then, didn't really capitalise on it, it was a really good move.
00:42:48Again, tries the right hand, but throwing those punches together like the corner wanted,
00:42:55maybe he's saving it for the championship rounds, the last three or four,
00:42:59maybe he feels that Taylor will tire, but Taylor said he's much happier at this rate,
00:43:06good body shot though.
00:43:07Adam, I really think he's got to finish the combinations with that left of the body,
00:43:12because it takes you in a safe zone as well, when you're leaning over,
00:43:15throwing that left to the body, you're avoiding the shot coming back from Taylor.
00:43:18That's a lovely though, right to the body from Taylor.
00:43:22Yeah, the sloppy body shots, Taylor looks so classy when he delivers his.
00:43:27So be careful, Taylor, he just stands a little too tall every now and again when they're in close,
00:43:32but what he does do is always look to work.
00:43:35But that's what we love about him, Taylor, he loves to scrap, and there is a cut.
00:43:40Yep, more damage for Josh Taylor in his career, but it's never really bothered him.
00:43:47He knows that it happens.
00:43:48Step back, step back.
00:43:49Step back, step back.
00:43:50You stop using the jab here, Taylor, even when he is using it though, he's just sort of touching with it.
00:43:54Yeah.
00:43:54You know, you've got a really good, really smooth, heavy right hand,
00:43:58and he just doesn't use that jab again.
00:44:00That sets up all your little attacks he's looking for you.
00:44:02Yeah, that started a couple of rounds ago, he was just pouring the shot,
00:44:05just saying no real speed in that lead hand.
00:44:09Clash of heads fills the cup, but those body shots from Essendon are sinking in
00:44:14to that tall lead figure of Josh Taylor.
00:44:19And it's a good round of game for Essendon, it's a nice spell in the fight,
00:44:22he's calm and composed, and his shots are landed.
00:44:27Here they are, starting well downstairs, working back upstairs.
00:44:33Up to that iron, but that spur of him on as well.
00:44:36That left hand, sorry, the right hand of Essendon has worsened that cut.
00:44:40Yeah, interesting.
00:44:50Right there.
00:44:53Well, listen, you've got some fantastic shots, but you're holding a few too long.
00:44:58See these wide dukes that he's throwing, same as we've done all camp,
00:45:02took the elbows in and shoot back short, stay low, step close, real close.
00:45:08And if you're in on any position to go, catch real close, and shoot back short.
00:45:13I can't see you left side, step away.
00:45:15OK.
00:45:20That's lovely work there from Essendon, going low with the left hand to the body there,
00:45:23staying nice and low as well when he throws that right hand, and punching up.
00:45:26Just going to see here the clash of heads.
00:45:28One of those things, even though Essendon's coming in and going low,
00:45:34I don't think it's obviously not intentional, and it's one of those just unfortunate things
00:45:38when you have people boxing from the opposite sides.
00:45:41But a good roll for Essendon, I thought.
00:45:42Yeah, and he's light on his feet.
00:45:44Echo Essendon dancing almost as he comes out of that red corner.
00:45:48But Taylor with a fast start to round eight here at Welterweight for the first time.
00:45:53Taylor, Echo Essendon, a hardened warrior.
00:45:56The engine, right hand, he's had a good couple of rounds, and he's coming on strong.
00:46:01Carl Frampton, how are we seeing things now? Is there a shift?
00:46:05I give Echo the last round, but I still have Josh in control of the feet.
00:46:09But Echo's coming on strong, but it's just saying that he's getting a little bit closer.
00:46:13And like Barry says, Josh just neglected the jab a little bit in the last round.
00:46:18And if I'm in Josh's corner, I'm telling him to keep things as long as possible,
00:46:23because when Echo gets close, although Josh is a good inside fighter,
00:46:26it gives Echo a chance to land something and get something off.
00:46:29So I still have Josh in front, but saying that he's just slowing down a little bit.
00:46:35But Pascal, three judges over inside from the Ukraine, from Italy,
00:46:41and from here in England, our own John Latham, Bob Williams in charge of this.
00:46:45He hasn't had to do much. It's been a good fight.
00:46:51Essendon's trying to be thoughtful here, and you do see that's the really good thing.
00:46:55I think he needs to keep the pressure on like this.
00:46:59If Taylor is down to Tyler, make him feel it now. Make him feel all those hard fights he better than yours.
00:47:04Put the pressure on, no.
00:47:05Sweet right hand from Echo Essendon. It's a funny one,
00:47:08because some of the Warren family are in the Essendon corner, and some are in Josh Taylor's.
00:47:16A bit of swelling under that left thigh as well.
00:47:18And Taylor, last thing he needs is that, closing.
00:47:22And it's this right hand as well, as that head clash, and Essendon will keep throwing that.
00:47:28And this is really good from the Nottingham veteran, and is he a veteran at 36?
00:47:35He's boxing really well, a little slip there, but he's tough as old boots, is Echo Essendon.
00:47:41And he's blocking these shots from Taylor, and he wants to take the fight to him now.
00:47:46But you know what's good there from Essendon? Taylor switched off for a second, but he stayed switched off.
00:47:51So he saw it and just jumped right on him, and that's a good move.
00:47:53But as long as he stays close and looks menacing here, where Taylor takes a little bit of a walk,
00:47:58Essendon just got to keep jumping on him.
00:48:00And I think he can fire the right hand over the left of Taylor.
00:48:04Double up the shot as well.
00:48:07That seems to be getting worse as well, and good work again from Essendon.
00:48:11Right hand again from Echo Essendon. Taylor comes back, he might well have to dig deep,
00:48:18and utilize this crowd here, Josh Taylor, because the pendulum has swung.
00:48:24And we wondered if we'd be going back to Nottingham any time soon,
00:48:27after Antoni Kakashi beating Lee Wood the other night.
00:48:31But Echo Essendon, if he gets through this, big nights are ahead.
00:48:37That left to the body as well, I can see that back upstairs.
00:48:41Double up with that left hand, Josh Taylor.
00:48:55You want to do harder, yeah?
00:48:56You can do harder, you can do harder.
00:48:59You know you can.
00:49:00That's a good solid round there from Essendon, it's a lovely long right hand there.
00:49:11Just when Taylor switched off, he jumped on him.
00:49:14Seen the roll, and just a good solid round throw.
00:49:17Get the pressure on Taylor, Taylor not looking for a rest.
00:49:19I'm trying to look for the one big shot.
00:49:21When you're pepping himself, and he's backing off.
00:49:24Bring, bring, get the feet in, and then go again.
00:49:28Get real close.
00:49:29Punch, don't try too hard for the single.
00:49:32Okay? I want you to put the punches together.
00:49:34Now, you'll keep the energy.
00:49:36It's been a long, hard decade as a professional for Josh Taylor in fight number 22.
00:49:47This is the 148th round of his career for Echo Essendon.
00:49:5123rd fight, and it's the 171st round.
00:49:56Not at the level that Taylor has been fighting, of course,
00:49:59but these two are real battle-hardened warriors.
00:50:04And who's going to get the advantage in these last four?
00:50:08Who does it suit?
00:50:10Essendon coming on strong like this is what Essendon does.
00:50:16Taylor's got to be pushing him back, and like Karl was saying,
00:50:19he hasn't got a closer distance to do it. He can do it long.
00:50:22He's giving Essendon momentum here, and Essendon, when he is coming forward,
00:50:26it's almost impossible to stop.
00:50:28Is that the natural welterweight, you know, stopping Taylor from being able to do that?
00:50:34That's a good point, Aaron.
00:50:37Owen Cooper, Fennborn.
00:50:402024 long, hard welterweight, tough ones for Essendon.
00:50:46You can see there, he's thrown more, not landed as much.
00:50:50Josh Taylor probably ahead on the guards, we don't know.
00:50:53It's surely tighter than it was.
00:50:57Left hook there from Essendon.
00:51:00Explosion again, the combination.
00:51:02And the punch in punches, though, here, Essendon.
00:51:04He's got to fire back, Josh Taylor.
00:51:06He has to fire back with his own shots.
00:51:09Like you say, it's getting close.
00:51:11His corner are telling him that he's looking for that big shot here.
00:51:14I understand why, but he's kind of seeing relax and just doing combinations.
00:51:19Barry, he's really growing in confidence here.
00:51:22Echo Essendon, because I don't think he feels Josh Taylor can hurt him.
00:51:28Right hander.
00:51:29And that is what he's been doing all night long.
00:51:33Those single rights.
00:51:35Danny Delivermore, back goes Taylor.
00:51:38Crowd, starting to believe again.
00:51:42Blinches of the old, brilliant, great mark from Scotland.
00:51:47Taylor's got...
00:51:48Every time Taylor dips, you've got to come back with a punch.
00:51:50And then Rawal dip the other side and come back with a punch again.
00:51:53You've got to keep that continuity in his work.
00:51:55Body shot was good there from Echo Essendon on the inside.
00:51:5945 seconds left in the ninth round.
00:52:03This is really fascinating now.
00:52:05Stop boxing, step back, step back, step back.
00:52:07Really blinking, I tell you, lighting these clinches here.
00:52:11That light is really starting to bother him.
00:52:16It just keeps coming forward.
00:52:18Echo Essendon doesn't ever really look tired.
00:52:22Stop boxing, step back, step back.
00:52:23It's just simply effective boxing.
00:52:26You can't call yourself the engine and have a slow, plodding work rate.
00:52:32We know what he's all about, but as you said, though, he's growing in confidence.
00:52:36And that's allowed his natural style to really start to blossom.
00:52:39He's letting the shots go.
00:52:41We did see the second round of 10 in the last minute.
00:52:43I was going to get a little bit closer.
00:52:53Come on.
00:52:54He's fucking sucking up.
00:52:55Two, three.
00:52:56Is that nine?
00:52:57Yeah.
00:52:59Listen, he's got loads left.
00:53:02He hasn't.
00:53:03And he's pushing the shots low.
00:53:04Stop looking for big singles on each hand.
00:53:07Okay?
00:53:07You're looking for one home run.
00:53:10Okay?
00:53:11Can you put the punches together for me?
00:53:14Yeah, has he lost his shape a bit?
00:53:15Josh Taylor, um, he's telling you he's got loads left.
00:53:19Show it.
00:53:21You've got to start showing it.
00:53:22Liven up a little bit.
00:53:24You've got to, you know, look, as soon as Esserman lets his shots go, it's important that you
00:53:28leave your mark in the judges' minds.
00:53:30You fire back.
00:53:31We all work.
00:53:31Don't leave any of these girls, just put them in the bag for me.
00:53:36Don't be coming high yet.
00:53:37Stay in the motherfucking centre.
00:53:39Okay?
00:53:40Let's watch that.
00:53:41Come on, switch it on.
00:53:42Switch it on.
00:53:45Nine minutes left in this super venue on a great night for Scottish boxing.
00:53:50We've seen some real stars born, but Nottingham's Echo Esserman trying to break the hearts of these
00:53:59faithful north of the border.
00:54:00It's back to Karl.
00:54:02How's your card?
00:54:03I think I still have Josh one round in front, but Echo's getting closer here.
00:54:07We have one round in front and Echo's getting closer.
00:54:10Josh is looking like he's tearing up, but I like the advice from Joe McNally in the corner.
00:54:14Just hold the centre of the ring.
00:54:16Don't be going to the ropes, and when you do go to the ropes, don't be covering up and allowing
00:54:21Echo to get shots off.
00:54:23Whether or not, I mean, whether or not or not, it looks good, but there's a couple of
00:54:27some big shots coming here now from Echo.
00:54:29Yes, dumping shots from Esserman, there's a smile.
00:54:33I think he believes he's got Josh Taylor where he wants him now, and these are rough moments
00:54:39for the former undisputed super lightweight champion of the world.
00:54:45The great Josh Taylor has now got a really tough few minutes ahead of him.
00:54:50Yeah, look, there were four or five unanswered shots there from Taylor.
00:54:54He doubles poured the jam out.
00:54:55I mean, look, you need to get busy.
00:54:57That's good with the left hand to the body.
00:54:59Fire it back upstairs afterwards.
00:55:00Oh, good lead right hook from Taylor.
00:55:04Great work from Josh Taylor here in the 10th round, trying to turn the tables and turn
00:55:10back the years in a great main event, live on the zone, delivered by Queensbury.
00:55:16And it's their new signing, Josh Taylor.
00:55:19How have the judges got it?
00:55:20And that's what you've got to keep doing.
00:55:22He just did it then, but didn't get the world effect.
00:55:24That little sway side to side, and then find the angle of attack that way.
00:55:27But he has to keep punching in combination for you, Taylor.
00:55:30Twos or threes, as the corner have been asking for for the last two or three runs.
00:55:34And sharper in defense as well.
00:55:36We've got to avoid that right hand of Essamon.
00:55:38And on the flip side, Essamon just keeps throwing that shot.
00:55:41That was better from Taylor, slipping on the outside of that right,
00:55:45looking for the left to the body.
00:55:47Nicely Poir is down the stretch this fight.
00:55:49It really is, isn't it?
00:55:51And Taylor's digging in.
00:55:53Back comes Essamon.
00:55:55These right hands to their body and then to the head.
00:55:58Eye-catching shots, last minute at the 10th.
00:56:01I think the judges will like those.
00:56:04And look at the spring to his step, Barry.
00:56:06Yeah, well, he took a little bit of a rest off and shot.
00:56:09Well taken there by Taylor.
00:56:11A lovely right hand there from Essamon.
00:56:13And he's had the stand-up moments in the row.
00:56:15So who's wrong?
00:56:16He's had the stand-up moments, and that might just give him the edge.
00:56:19He's saying, you've got the talent, you've got the world titles behind you.
00:56:24But I'm a big, strong, powerful welterweight, and welcome to 10 Stone 7.
00:56:28And he's really trying to impose that side, that natural side advantage into this fireball.
00:56:35I think he's well with that right hand.
00:56:36But this is a good reply, I couldn't just say.
00:56:38The right at the very end of the round.
00:56:40It's only the left to go from Essamon.
00:56:43It's a cracking session here.
00:56:45The 10th may be the round of the fight.
00:56:47Rounds of applause at ringside.
00:56:53Who has this taken more out of?
00:56:5510, 10.
00:56:5710, yeah.
00:57:01Hey, you're fucking boxing real well.
00:57:04It's not giving him the three shots up, okay?
00:57:07You're standing and holding their feet too long.
00:57:09Stay in the centre.
00:57:10Boxman, don't give him the rest.
00:57:12You've caught him.
00:57:13You're at your best when you're putting the punches together.
00:57:16Too many seniors.
00:57:17You're looking for this.
00:57:19Break, break, break.
00:57:20Drop it, and then come up to the head.
00:57:22Switch the attack.
00:57:23Head, body, body, head real close.
00:57:26And then rest where you want to rest, okay?
00:57:30That registering, Mr. Taylor.
00:57:31Now look at me, son.
00:57:33When you're resting, just keep your shape.
00:57:35Just stop him putting it on you, okay?
00:57:37Listen.
00:57:38He needs these two rounds.
00:57:40He needs them.
00:57:41Don't fucking give him them, okay?
00:57:42He's that registering, Mr. Taylor.
00:57:45They say that Echo Esserman needs these last two rounds.
00:57:49We don't know how the three judges have got it.
00:57:52He's in in the melting pot.
00:57:53Last six minutes, who can finish stronger?
00:57:56Crucial, crucial rounds for both of these guys' careers.
00:58:01Yeah, these are big rounds coming up.
00:58:04The championship rounds from both here.
00:58:07Very, very close.
00:58:10But the body language again from Esserman looks better to me.
00:58:13This is the kind of fight that he likes.
00:58:16These are the stages where you expect him to get big.
00:58:20He's at the class from Taylor.
00:58:22Still there.
00:58:24Well, Taylor's been here before, hasn't he?
00:58:26He knows how to battle through.
00:58:28But can you still do it?
00:58:30Yes, will the legs, will the body stand up to the constant
00:58:38pressure and physicality of Echo Esserman?
00:58:41The speed has been with Taylor.
00:58:43The cameos of Crye slow down, but still Esserman just trying to
00:58:48punch through the guard of Taylor and lean on him.
00:58:51Anything he can do.
00:58:54Just Taylor's punch is not having the effect they were early in the fight.
00:58:57I think for Esserman, and that's allowed Esserman to almost walk through it.
00:59:02I think he doesn't respect Josh Taylor's power.
00:59:05I think he made that clear to the corner, didn't he, earlier on.
00:59:08There was speed on the punches earlier, that's why.
00:59:10And they were, I think, you know, they were enough to catch him in a ways.
00:59:13Look at Esserman there in the 10th round, which was a fabulous three minutes.
00:59:18With the 18 power shots landing from Esserman.
00:59:21You know, that really shows me that that's real belief.
00:59:30It's a very tough welterweight division worldwide.
00:59:33What does this tell us about Josh Taylor's future at 10-7?
00:59:48First of all, he's got to get the decision here, but Echo Esserman has surely pulled it right back.
00:59:54Is he in front?
00:59:55Look, I mean, look, if you talk about the last 20 seconds, there's about seven to eight shots
01:00:00landing from Esserman to one from Taylor.
01:00:03It just needs to be busier Taylor now.
01:00:06Got to get working.
01:00:07I've got Esserman ticking off these last few rounds.
01:00:09Carl, let's bring you in.
01:00:11It must be much closer.
01:00:13Yeah, I actually think I have Echo and Frontniper around and the momentum's on his side.
01:00:19He looks to be the pressure in the fight.
01:00:21Josh has got to really, really dig in deep.
01:00:24I think we talked about at the top of the show, he needs the crowd here on his side.
01:00:28He needs the crowd to be lifted and I think you have to win something of these last two rounds
01:00:34and he's not winning this round.
01:00:35No, he's not.
01:00:36Esserman is just ticking off these later rounds as we thought he might.
01:00:43The engine is coming through and Taylor just doesn't seem to have the same snap
01:00:48as he had in the first few rounds.
01:00:52How close is it?
01:00:54This man Echo Esserman boxing the fight of his life, really.
01:00:57Every time you get close, just hold it.
01:00:59Take half a step forward and half a step back, then sit down and win your shots.
01:01:03Come up, boy.
01:01:03Yeah?
01:01:04Don't smother yourself, don't allow him to hold you.
01:01:07A little half a step up and then rip him to the body.
01:01:09That's what?
01:01:09You're killing him to the body, go back into the body.
01:01:12Body first, then go upstairs.
01:01:18You need to get real punk Josh away, keep them short.
01:01:21He needs this round, okay?
01:01:23I'm going to give him that one.
01:01:25Take this one for yourself, okay?
01:01:27You owe it to you.
01:01:29You owe it to yourself.
01:01:30Come on, use that jab.
01:01:34Stay off the motherfucking rope.
01:01:36Stay off them.
01:01:37Let's work.
01:01:38Come on, get it in the fucking bag.
01:01:40Get that down on that block sheet if you can stay tight.
01:01:47I think that's a fairly worried blue corner.
01:01:51Josh Taylor could very well need this last round.
01:01:55He might need it big.
01:01:57Echo Essendon for us is coming on so strong.
01:02:02And Taylor's got to dig really deep here.
01:02:05Carl, Echo ahead for you now.
01:02:07I've got Echo in front here, and it's just not looking good, and he looks a pressure fighter,
01:02:20but Josh, he's got to dig deep.
01:02:22He has to win this round on my top scorecard anyway to come away with a draw.
01:02:26He's seen glimpses of really good stuff at the start, but from the second half of the fight,
01:02:31it's been all that good.
01:02:33I think Taylor's at the point now where he has to commit.
01:02:35I think he had the fight, he totally controlled the fight at one point,
01:02:38and then looking for that big shot rather than just letting the punches go,
01:02:42I think that's maybe costing.
01:02:45A fight of two halves, Darren, but if Essendon maybe pinched one of those early rounds,
01:02:50he wins it.
01:02:52Got it.
01:02:53Quite a couple more for Essendon.
01:02:55It took him four or so rounds to get into his river,
01:03:00but once he did, he's really got to work, hasn't he?
01:03:03Worked pretty well with that right hand.
01:03:04He's worked to the body of Taylor well, and it's just been the volume,
01:03:09as we've spoken about, and he's just not matched it, Taylor.
01:03:12He's not fired back with the flurries that we were seeing in the early rounds.
01:03:16Incredible shape, Echo Essendon.
01:03:19Still looks fresh, really does.
01:03:21His 36-year-old legs have worked well tonight.
01:03:25His right hand, his defence has been good.
01:03:27He's been very polished, Echo Essendon.
01:03:32And Josh Taylor at times has reminded us of the Braves,
01:03:38but at other times hasn't kept that shape that they were asking for.
01:03:43Essendon just, oh, you've got to do Essendon.
01:03:45Don't make any mistakes now, and then he's won the fight for me.
01:03:48Taylor has got to take a bit more of a gamble here.
01:03:51Here comes Echo Essendon again, cementing this right now.
01:03:55Surely, down the stretch, winning maybe four, five, six rounds in a row.
01:04:01And Josh Taylor looks like he needs to hear the final bell.
01:04:06I wonder if you'll say afterwards that that physicality of World Tour is was difficult.
01:04:11He picked a very tough first opponent at 10 stone seven.
01:04:16He's trying to come back.
01:04:17That's got to roll the dice in that left hand, Josh Taylor.
01:04:20He landed a good one a moment ago.
01:04:22He's got to throw it and get really turnted.
01:04:23But he couldn't make a 10-minute on Essendon.
01:04:26Good dinner.
01:04:26Essendon comes right back at him.
01:04:29I think this has been a great performance from the man from Nottingham.
01:04:33Again, in the lion's den as he's done much of his career.
01:04:39Taylor had a good start.
01:04:42There's been plenty to like about Josh Taylor tonight.
01:04:45But Echo Essendon has dragged him into a battle.
01:04:48And what a good fight.
01:04:50Respect between the pair.
01:04:52The judges will decide.
01:04:54But all of us here have got Echo Essendon winning.
01:04:57I'll tell you something, that was a brilliant scrap.
01:05:01That was a really good watch that one.
01:05:03Really good watch.
01:05:04Yeah, what an entertaining main event.
01:05:08We've had knockouts throughout the night.
01:05:11Stars born and a main event that lived up to all the hype, the expectation.
01:05:17Echo Essendon being raised aloft.
01:05:20And I think he deserves this night.
01:05:22Will he get it?
01:05:23Yeah, look, I'll tell you what.
01:05:24You thought early on that Josh Taylor was back to his best.
01:05:28He looked very good, didn't he?
01:05:30That aggression was there.
01:05:31The flurries are shot.
01:05:32The speed, the accuracy.
01:05:34And he looked as if he was putting a dent in Essendon.
01:05:36But the way this man fired back, got in his rhythm and got going was so impressive.
01:05:41The t-shirt, a salute to Jimmy Gill.
01:05:44The Nottingham maestro, who we loved for so long, who recently sadly passed.
01:05:50And he was just so instrumental in Echo Essendon's career.
01:05:55Barrington Brown there.
01:05:56Josh Taylor believes he's done enough.
01:05:59Maybe the team do.
01:06:01Will we have a split decision?
01:06:03I don't know, guys.
01:06:04For me, Echo Essendon deserves it, I think.
01:06:07Yeah, I'll tell you what.
01:06:09The career is on the line for both here.
01:06:11But Essendon, at his age, you know, always a step up for him.
01:06:13He can go back down to his level, but if he doesn't get the win.
01:06:17But can he at this age, for Josh Taylor, if he can get the win against a British level fighter,
01:06:23which is what Essendon has been at the moment,
01:06:25then his aspiration for winning world titles again is almost disappeared.
01:06:30Why would he want to continue fighting?
01:06:32Look at the teams.
01:06:33Look at the difference.
01:06:34Look at the smiles in the red corner from Essendon.
01:06:36The fighter himself and the rest of the team.
01:06:39Very morbid in the blue corner.
01:06:41Yup, they know.
01:06:42They feel they've got it.
01:06:44And will the judges give Echo Essendon his grand night?
01:06:48How about this for a grand night?
01:06:50July the 19th, biggest of the year.
01:06:53It is Alexander Usyk, Daniel Dubois too.
01:06:57And it is exclusively live on DAZN, Saturday, July the 19th.
01:07:02Wow, Wembley is going to be rocking Darren.
01:07:07What a night that promises to be.
01:07:10It really will be a spectacular night.
01:07:12A great rematch.
01:07:14A rejuvenated, a confident Daniel Dubois.
01:07:18Josh Taylor rejuvenated at times.
01:07:20Was it enough or, as we feel, has Echo Essendon got it?
01:07:24Three judges, Ukraine, Italy and Britain.
01:07:28It's down to them.
01:07:29Ladies and gentlemen, after 12 rounds of boxing, we go to the judges' scorecards.
01:07:46Judge John Latham scores it 116-113.
01:07:49Judge Zoltan Inieti scores it 16-112.
01:07:55And Judge Giulio Piras scores it 115-113.
01:08:01All in favor of your winner by unanimous decision.
01:08:05And now the WBO global welterweight champion, Echo the engine Essendon.
01:08:20Bang on from the judges, Echo Essendon rips up the script.
01:08:25And he saddens the Scottish hearts here with the best performance of a career that goes back nine years.
01:08:36He's had it tough.
01:08:37Echo, what a lovely guy.
01:08:40And he really, really performed tonight.
01:08:43Barrington Brown, Jimmy Gill will be looking down.
01:08:47The smile is there for Echo Essendon.
01:08:50Josh Taylor had his moments, but the body language was right.
01:08:55Darren, the right man got it.
01:08:56Yep, he just got in his flow, didn't he?
01:08:59He got busy and he showed Taylor no respect.
01:09:02The right hand was working a treat.
01:09:06He was very smart in the way he nullified his work, getting close, working the body.
01:09:10Don't get me wrong, he had moments, Taylor, but they were far and few between.
01:09:16He just didn't match the tempo, the work of Essendon.
01:09:20He was just really fired up.
01:09:22You mentioned Jimmy Gill, they're fighting for something else, Essendon.
01:09:25And this was his moment.
01:09:26This was his moment to prove that he belonged at a level.
01:09:30I think Taylor had a good start.
01:09:31And I don't think it was all to do with the engine.
01:09:34I don't think it was all to do with the engine of Essendon.
01:09:36I just think Taylor was looking for that big shot.
01:09:39And I just think his shot selection, not his shot selection, the timing of his shot selection wasn't great.
01:09:44I mean, close on power landed.
01:09:47Much more thrown by Echo Essendon.
01:09:50A really good fight.
01:09:53And Josh Taylor definitely had his rounds and played his part.
01:09:58But the back half, Echo Essendon, well, the engine was exactly what he was.
01:10:05And you know what?
01:10:05I think he deserves a tilt to the world title.
01:10:08Let's get to Addit with the delighted winner.
01:10:15Brilliant night for him.
01:10:18Echo, big smile on the face and understandably so, the biggest win of your career.
01:10:23You've played a career where you've been the B-side fighter.
01:10:25You've had to go into fighters' backyards before.
01:10:28This is the biggest backyard you've ever gone into, Echo, against a former undisputed champion.
01:10:32And that was a fantastic performance.
01:10:34Well done.
01:10:35I'd like to first of all say a big well done to Josh Taylor.
01:10:38He's an amazing boxer.
01:10:39I've always respected him since GB.
01:10:42And second of most, I have to just say a big RIP to Jimmy Gill on my T-shirt.
01:10:47My former manager passed away.
01:10:50This match was for him.
01:10:52Yeah, I've gone as the B-side.
01:10:55I've gone on the away corner.
01:10:56I've come to the Lions' den.
01:10:57I've done what I've done.
01:10:59Thank you so much for having me, everyone.
01:11:02It seemed to be a fight at two halves.
01:11:04You seemed to be trying to adjust to Josh in the first half of the fight.
01:11:08And in the second half, you're nicknating the engine.
01:11:09And the engine seemed to crank up a few gears.
01:11:12And he didn't really know what to do with that power, did he?
01:11:15Yeah, yeah.
01:11:15You know what it is?
01:11:17I remember stuff from a long time ago.
01:11:19And we sparred a lot in GB.
01:11:20So I put some of those things into action.
01:11:23A lot of people were talking about what next for Josh if Josh were to win, right?
01:11:27Josh may be world title fights.
01:11:28Josh having the big fights.
01:11:30I'm going to put those questions to you now because you are the victor.
01:11:33What do you want next?
01:11:34I already said after my last fight, I want world titles.
01:11:36And I got what I wanted.
01:11:38They gave me against an undisputed champion.
01:11:42Excuse my French, I was about to say F.
01:11:43But yeah, and I've come through.
01:11:46I've proved I'm world class.
01:11:47So it put me on the world scene.
01:11:49You're 36, Echo.
01:11:50You look like you're 26.
01:11:52I've been saying this on comms.
01:11:53You're in fantastic condition.
01:11:55How long more of this, Echo Iserman?
01:11:57How many more years can we see you do this, Echo?
01:11:59Well, you weren't listening to my track that I was playing.
01:12:02I say it in my track.
01:12:03Listen to my track, you'll find out.
01:12:05We're going to play the track back indeed.
01:12:07Did you struggle in there at all in the first couple of rounds?
01:12:10Or was it a case of making those adjustments?
01:12:11It's a case of making adjustments.
01:12:17Obviously, he's a world class boxer.
01:12:18He knows how to play with his lead hand.
01:12:21And you know what they say, don't play with a Southport's lead hand.
01:12:23I got caught unaware for that a few times.
01:12:26So I just did what I had to do.
01:12:28Echo, you're taking this very well.
01:12:30Because I know this is such an incredible achievement for you.
01:12:33I know the ups and downs of a career.
01:12:35When you don't have that big amateur pedigree to kind of push you through.
01:12:39This must feel amazing.
01:12:40I mean, to come here in this crowd and look, you know, they booed you in.
01:12:43They're cheering you out.
01:12:44This must feel incredible.
01:12:45It's so amazing.
01:12:46Thank you for the people of Glasgow that have been very welcoming to me in the streets and the city.
01:12:51I can't fault you at all.
01:12:54You're a beautiful people.
01:12:56It has to be, surely, a world title shot next, right?
01:12:59That's what your team want.
01:13:00That's what everyone here in front of us wants as well.
01:13:02They want a world title crack next.
01:13:04Surely, we can take a lot of the Nottingham fans over to America and fight one of the big boys.
01:13:08Yeah, man. Take that engine on tour.
01:13:11Can I jump on the tour bus as well, please?
01:13:13Yo, come on the engine tour, man.
01:13:15Team engine.
01:13:15Oh, no, no, no, wait.
01:13:16You have to be team engine first.
01:13:18Let's see what we can do.
01:13:19Let's see what we can do.
01:13:20Echo, honestly, I've known you a while.
01:13:21Congratulations.
01:13:22Incredible win.
01:13:23Massive win.
01:13:24And hopefully, this does propel you to a world title shot.
01:13:26Congratulations.
01:13:27I'm joking, man.
01:13:28You're already team engine.
01:13:29I'm in team engine.
01:13:30Well done, Echo.
01:13:31Fantastic.
01:13:31Well done.
01:13:31Congratulations.
01:13:32Wow, what a night.
01:13:36We are going to wrap it with the boys in Beyond the Bell.
01:13:38Stick with us as we're going to look back at that performance,
01:13:41Moses' performance, and an incredible Chief support as well.
01:13:44Let's go.
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