Josh Taylor insists he has gone from hunted to being the hunter as Tartan Tornado targets win to reignite boxing career
The 34-year-old takes on Ekow Essuman in Glasgow after successive defeats in the ring
Josh Taylor reckons he's gone from hunted to hunter as he gets set for his welterweight debut against Ekow Essuman in Glasgow on Saturday night.
The 34-year-old has moved up a division after back-to-back defeats to Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez.
Now the Scot's targeting two-weight world champion status as he looks to reignite his career.
The former undisputed light welterweight king faces 36-year-old WBO European champ Essuman, knowing a win could put him back in the world title picture.
And Taylor believes the mindset heading into this fight is completely different, with the pressure now off and the fire burning again. He 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 than being the target, the one who 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 is 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 and I am fighting at my natural weight, I'm strong, I'm fit, I'm healthy, so absolutely it can be a great advantage."
Taylor is braced for a tough test against Botswana-born Nottingham fighter Essuman, who boasts a 22-1 record and cut a confident figure on stage in the build-up to their Hydro bout.
The Tartan Tornado added: "He is very good, solid, an all-round fighter.
"He's strong, fit, aggressive, and he has 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 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?
"Back down the levels and fight lesser opponents? 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."
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