Josh Taylor returns to Glasgow with welterweight debut — Essuman aims to spoil hometown party at the OVO Hydro

Josh Taylor steps up to welterweight and steps back into Glasgow this Saturday, June 22, headlining ‘Land of the Brave’ at the OVO Hydro, live on DAZN (7:00 p.m. local / 2:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. UK). The former undisputed light welterweight champion faces British pressure fighter Ekow Essuman in a 10-rounder that marks Taylor’s first fight in Scotland since 2019.

Also on the stacked Queensberry undercard: heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma returns, cruiserweights Aloys Junior and David Jamieson fight for Commonwealth hardware, and Scottish prospects Nathaniel Collins, Lee McGregor, Aston Brown, and Reece Porter throw down in high-stakes local grudge fights.

Taylor confident, cocky, and comfortable — Essuman’s ready to flip the script

Josh Taylor looks and sounds like a man finally out of a weight cut prison. “I’m full of beans, full of energy,” he said. For the first time in years, he’s fighting without drying out. This isn’t just another fight — it’s the first step toward becoming a two-division world champion. “I’d completed boxing,” Taylor said bluntly. “What else was there left at 140?”

Ekow Essuman doesn’t care. The former British champ isn’t rattled by Taylor’s talk or the setting. “Same job, different venue,” he shrugged. “If he tries to end it early, that might be to his detriment.” Essuman’s used to being the away fighter — and he came ready for the best version of Taylor.

Taylor wants to “take this guy out.” Essuman’s warning? Be careful what you rush.

Loaded card with serious Scottish firepower

Moses Itauma, 19, continues his heavyweight rise against durable Mike Balogun, whose only loss came to Murat Gassiev. In the all-Scottish showdowns, Nathaniel Collins defends national pride against Lee McGregor, and unbeaten Aston Brown meets Reece Porter in a local bragging rights clash.

Cruiserweight standout Aloys Junior puts his WBA Continental belt on the line against David Jamieson, with the Commonwealth title also up for grabs. And if that’s not enough, Alex Arthur Jr. and Drew Limond — sons of Scottish legends — make their pro debuts.

Event Info

• Date: Saturday, June 22, 2025

• Venue: OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland

• Start Time: 7:00 p.m. local / 2:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. UK

• Broadcaster: LIVE on DAZN

• Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster

Main Fight Info

• Josh Taylor vs. Ekow Essuman – 10 rounds, welterweight

• Moses Itauma vs. Mike Balogun – 10 rounds, heavyweight

• Aloys Junior vs. David Jamieson – 10 rounds, cruiserweight (WBA Continental & vacant Commonwealth titles)

• Nathaniel Collins vs. Lee McGregor – 10 rounds, featherweight

• Aston Brown vs. Reece Porter – 8 rounds, middleweight

• Alex Arthur Jr. and Drew Limond – 4-round debuts, weight class TBA