Josh Taylor warns ‘I’m the hunter again’ ahead of Ekow Essuman bout

Josh Taylor believes he has made the move from hunted to hunter ahead of his welterweight debut against Ekow Essuman at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday night.

The 34-year-old Prestonpans fighter lost his last two bouts to Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez and has moved up a weight, looking to become a two-weight world champion.

The former undisputed junior welterweight champion faces 36-year-old WBO European champion Essuman and believes the psychology of the fight has changed as he looks to rise to the top in another weight division.

Asked about getting his hunger back, Taylor said: “I’m back to being the hunter. I’ve got a target to chase and I’ve got a target to get to.

“Now, rather being the target, and being the one that is getting chased and looking behind me, I know I’ve to go there (forward), and that’s where I’m going.

“I’m focused with a single-track mind and that’s the ambition.

“I’m absolutely feeling more comfortable in the division. Purely just because of making weight and not taking so much out my body.

“I’m full of energy, I’m fighting at my natural weight, I’m strong, I’m fit, I’m healthy. So, absolutely, I think it’s a great advantage.”

Taylor expects a tough test against the Botswana-born fighter from Nottingham, who has a 22-1 record and who cut a confident figure on stage at the media conference in Glasgow.

The Scot said of Essuman: “He is very good, very solid, an all-round fighter, strong, fit, aggressive, and quite a good boxing brain as well.

“It’s got the makings of a barnstormer of a fight. But I can’t see it being that, I can see it being a boxing match and me winning comprehensively.

“It’s a must-win. It’s a must-win for the two of us.

“If I don’t win, where do I go? Do I come back down the levels and fight lesser opponents and stuff like that? No. It’s not what I’m about.

“I’m in this fight game to be the best and fight the best. So that’s the ‘A’ plan and losing is not an option.”