Power of Scotland

The fighting flame of Glasgow was well and truly reignited on Saturday evening when a bumper crowd turned out at the OVO Hydro in support of the Scottish fighters.

Many of them, of course, were enticed by the welterweight return of former undisputed king Josh Taylor, to see how he measured up in the division against Ekow Essuman.

Unfortunately for them, Ekow had the measure of Josh and secured a significant decision on the cards. Josh, it has to be said, looked terrific in the first five or six rounds and you were thinking that the old magic was very much still there.

However, against someone like Ekow, a 12-rounds-tough campaigner, you need to start well and finish strongly to get the job done. Against many other leading welterweights, Josh would have got his man out inside the first six.

In post-mortem, I do believe we have to take into account Josh’s activity levels. From 2020 onwards, Josh has had just one fight a year, so it is perhaps of little surprise that he was flagging down the straight.

I know it isn’t always an easy thing to maintain genuine momentum when fighters get to a certain level, and injuries play a part in that, but there is a price to pay somewhere and I think that is what we saw with Josh on Saturday.

This is to take nothing away from Ekow. He and we know his strengths and endurance and stamina are major qualities of his. And he can fight.

Ekow can now move on to more of the showcase occasions he fully deserves. His application and the way he prepares and looks after himself is a shining example to any young fighter.

The Glasgow crowd, quite likely, saw in action the heir to Josh’s throne emerge in the shape of featherweight star Nathaniel Collins. Nathaniel destroyed a proven Lee McGregor in a fight that was billed as a 50-50 affair.

It is remarkable really that Nathaniel, a year ago, was stricken in a hospital bed having had surgery for a twisted bowel. His boxing future was in doubt after he had done so well in becoming British and EBU Silver champion.

Now he can focus on a world title assault.

What more can I say about Moses Itauma? He delivered another show-stopping display of power, precision, athleticism and heavyweight ringcraft against a have-a-go opponent in Mike Balogun.

There are not many fighters in any weight division who can land knockout blows while in reverse. Moses is adding more and more to his game and we should always keep in mind that he is only 20.

Another from the Ben Davison camp, Aloys Jr, is showing a maturity beyond his own tender years and delivered a statement of his own against a strong opponent in David Jamieson.

Aloys is just 22 and I wouldn’t have any hesitation in putting him in with anyone out there at British title level and I do think he will become a world champion.

We are seeing his development. He used to be a street fighter-type operator who knew he could just close the show with a single shot. Now he is showing patience and this comes with experience, listening to what he is being told in the gym and implementing it.

I was thrilled with the performances of the young Queensberry Scottish contingent in Drew Limond, Alex Arthur Jr and Reece Lynch. It shows we have got a big future ahead delivering shows north of the border and I am delighted with the prospect of that.

I would also like to mention Aston Brown, the 34-year-old middleweight who bludgeoned an unbeaten opponent to capture the Scottish title. Aston has had well documented difficulties and it is a huge credit to him that he has revitalised himself.

He possesses a huge amateur pedigree and he looks like a right handful now he is back on track in the ring.