Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Boxing fans and critics alike would have to date back to 2022 when Josh Taylor reigned as undisputed super lightweight world champion.

Since then, though, Taylor has suffered a slight fall from grace, losing his last two fights by unanimous decision — to Teofimo Lopez in June 2023 and to Jack Catterall in their May 2024 rematch.

Nearly a year removed, Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) looks to end his two-fight skid and get back on track when he clashes with Ekow Essuman (21-1, 8 KOs) at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN, tonight.

Will Taylor snap his skid and return to title contention? Or will Essuman push his win streak to three by recording his biggest victory to date?

With the urgency strong, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for both fighters.

Josh Taylor’s keys to victory

Assert the double jab

Watch Josh Taylor carefully and one will note how his double jab serves a two-pronged purpose.

The first jab is meant to find range and merely touch his opponent. The second, however, has some bite to it and is thrown as a power shot.

Asserting this double jab early will give Taylor the leeway to fully open up his toolbox.

Make deposits to the body

With an incessant motor like Ekow Essuman has, it is imperative for Taylor to dip down and make deposits to the body.

These shots to the midsection can not only have Essuman’s motor sputtering but also lower his punch count, making the crisp punching of Taylor stand out more on judges’ scorecards.

Precise counterpunching

One way to deal with Essuman’s high volume and in-and-out boxing is to time and catch him amidst movement with precise counterpunches.

Each pointed counterpunch that lands will force Essuman to reset his offense.

That, and if Taylor is really able to time and sit on the counter, it can also end Essuman’s night — a result that a rebuilding 34-year-old Taylor could desperately use as a boost of confidence.

Ekow Essuman’s keys to victory

Turn up the heat

From the opening bell, Ekow Essuman must turn up the pressure on Taylor.

That means Essuman must be quicker to the punch and dictate the flow of this fight.

There is caution to this as Taylor is more than comfortable loading up and patiently waiting on the backfoot where he can counterpunch from.

But Essuman’s nonstop activity should be forcing the issue.

Work in and out

Essuman fights with rhythm bouncing in and out the pocket busily while driving up his punch count.

This activity and pace could put Essuman ahead early in this fight with his ability to then sustain the pace being as important of a key to victory.

But Essuman touching Taylor from the outside, while handing out more significant damage on the inside could irk the former undisputed champ just enough to leave him ripe for a third straight loss.

Stay composed

If Essuman is going to indeed dictate the pace and flow of this fight, one thing he cannot afford to do is to get out of sorts with reckless punching.

Doing so will leave him vulnerable to a sniper like Taylor who could line him up with a fight-altering or -ending counterpunch.

Therefore it is vital that Essuman stays composed with a muscle memory guard that goes right back into place every time he punches.

Watch Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman exclusively with a DAZN subscription. Annual and monthly options available, more information here.