Ekow Essuman gearing up for world title run with Jack Catterall clash: “This is where I belong”

Ekow ‘The Engine’ Essuman didn’t need a win over Josh Taylor to prove he was world class.

In May, the Nottingham welterweight was cold in the sweltering heat of Glasgow, giving it all he could to hand the Scot his third career defeat. Two months later, Taylor – the former undisputed lightweight champion – announced his retirement. A notable scalp in more ways than one for Isoman.

During his amateur days, Taylor qualified for the 2012 London Olympics and won Commonwealth gold two years later. Essuman was part of the GB Boxing Podium Squad and boxed for the British Lionhearts – a grueling five-round format not for the faint-hearted.

Beating Taylor was not proof, but rather confirmation of what Isuman already believes, as he explained to Boxing News.

“From my previous experiences in the Great Britain team and in boxing in general, and the work I’ve done with people at the highest world level – I know I’m a world champion. I just have to go out there and show everyone that I’m a world champion. I know all the skills I have. I know how to use them. I belong fighting for world titles.”

“In fact, to some extent I knew I was at the level to beat Josh Taylor before I beat him. But obviously beating him reinforced that, just like it would with anyone else. And fighting on this show in front of a big crowd is going to be obvious.”

This ‘show’ will take place on Saturday (November 15) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – a huge night capped off by the grudge rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Connor Benn. On the undercard, Isuman (22-1, 8 KOs) takes on Taylor’s arch rival, Jack “El Gato” Catterall (31-2, 13 KOs), in one of their marquee support bouts.

How did that happen?

“We got an offer from them, and then there was a lot of stuff in the media about it. So I think the hype got to where people thought the fight should happen.”

Isuman admits frustration that his career did not accelerate as quickly as he had hoped after Taylor’s win.

“I’ve definitely got my roses. I think the hardcore boxing fans really know what I’ve achieved. Obviously, people would say Josh was at the end of his career anyway. He certainly didn’t look that way when he came out in the first few rounds of the fight. I did that to him – I took that from him. So it’s more than that really. I’ve been preparing for a higher level than that. So bring it on.”

Isuman’s British title reign was marked by solid home victories over Chris Jenkins, Danny Ball, Darren Tetley, Samuel Antwi and Chris Kongo. Only “Terrible” Harry Scarfe defeated him. Against Catterall, he faces a fighter whose awkward style may be just as difficult.

Catterall has spent his final months in Philadelphia training under “Boosie” Ennis – father and coach of Jaron Ennis – alongside world-class talents such as Stephen Fulton and Andy Cruz. The switch may bring a more advanced version of the Chorley man.

But Isuman knows what to expect.

“I shared the ring with Jack in the lead-up to the Josh Taylor fight. The reason for that is because I really wanted to get a feel for what Jack was good at, and how awkward Jack was. So I knew how to be awkward like that for Josh Taylor. I have a good sense of Jack’s awkwardness and what he’s really good at — things that would bother other people. I know what I’m up against.”

“If he chooses to be in front, it’s to my advantage either way. It won’t make a difference. He might think I might just be there ahead of him. But he’ll just learn about all the other tremors in my bow.”

Isuman is ranked third by the World Boxing Organization, while Catterall is ranked eighth. It’s not a world title eliminator, but it carries that kind of weight. Defeat would be a major setback, especially for 36-year-old Isuman, who cannot afford to rebuild at this stage.

After disassembling the Taylor, the “engine” was ready to run again. It might take something special from Catterall to stop him.