Josh Taylor has apologized to fans after storming out of the ring following his loss to Ekow Essuman last night.
The Scot packed out the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow for a homecoming fight that signaled a new promoter in Frank Warren and a new era at welterweight. He was a slight favorite against Essuman given his undisputed pedigree at super-lightweight, but struggled to keep up the pace over 12 rounds.
Taylor was cut in the seventh and the fight changed direction as Essuman began to come on and ultimately earn the victory. Now, the former undisputed champion faces a tough conversation with his team as he decides whether or not to continue following three straight losses.
- CLOSE RESULT: Josh Taylor just about snatched a win in toughest fight of his career three years before his most controversial fight
Josh Taylor opens up to fans in first comments since Ekow Essuman defeat
Despite it seeming pretty clear that Essuman had done enough, Josh Taylor seemed baffled to hear that all three judges’ scorecards had gone against him last night. 112-116, 113-116 and 113-115 were the cards that cost him the fight, and he immediately stormed out of the ring.
However, he has since taken to social media to clarify his position. He also made sure to thank his followers who had come out to welcome him home in a massive night at the OVO Hydro.
“I would just like to apologise to all the fans last night for leaving the ring before having an interview and before taking the time to thank you all for showing up and showing out, as you always have done over the past 10 years,” he wrote in a lengthy post on X.
“I headed to the changing rooms because I did not want to say something in the heat of the moment or that I’d later regret on live TV. Your support means the world to me and you’ve created wonderful memories for me that will stay with me until the day I die.
“You’ve all helped to create some incredible moments in my life and despite the result, last night was another special night that was right up there, so thank each and every one of you.
“Thank you to Queensberry for bringing a big show back to Scotland and to Ekow once again on the victory.”
Josh Taylor faces tough decision about the future of his career
Despite being one of the greatest British boxers of all time, and arguably the best of his generation, Josh Taylor now faces some tough questions. He sprinted to undisputed glory within just 18 fights, but struggled in his first defence against Jack Catterall.
His win in that first meeting was arguably the most controversial in recent world title memory, and he ended up losing their eventual rematch. He was also outclassed by Teofimo Lopez to lose his belts a fight prior, and is now 0-3 in his last three, with many arguing that it should be 0-4.
Taylor just swapped Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing for Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in a multi-fight deal. But it is unclear what he will do as he now faces an uphill struggle to get back to the top of the sport.