By James Regan
Josh Taylor is concluding his training camp under the baking hot sun.
He appears fit, confident, and perhaps a little sunburnt.
Smiling broadly, he joked that his skin had gone from “pale blue to lobster red,” hoping it would eventually become a tan.
Regardless of his tan, the former undisputed junior welterweight champion appears in excellent physical condition, partly due to his move up to the welterweight division where he has a bit more weight tolerance.
Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) maintains that making the 140-pound limit in his former division was never an issue. However, like many fighters, a move to a higher weight class eventually becomes necessary. The 34-year-old notes the difference as he gets ready for his 147-pound debut against Ekow Essuman (21-1, 8 KOs) in Glasgow this Saturday.
“I`m essentially at my natural weight now,” Taylor stated. “I`m just a couple of pounds over, which is nothing. I`m eating well and feel completely energized.”
He is free from the challenging task of shedding the final few pounds before the weigh-in, a process that can be quite taxing.
This means avoiding saunas, sweat suits, and dehydration.
Essuman is expected to be a considerable challenge for Taylor, especially as this will be only his fourth fight in four years. The Scottish fighter aspires to become a two-weight world champion, a goal certainly within reach for one of Britain`s top boxers. However, he requires a clear victory to demonstrate his capability to compete with the elite fighters in the now highly competitive welterweight division.
“If I get the win this weekend, I`ll be right in the mix for some big fights at welterweight,” he explained. “But I`m not looking past this one because Ekow is a very tough test.”
He added that Essuman is “tried and tested” and holds Commonwealth and British championships, acknowledging, “so I`ll have my hands full.”
Elite fighters such as Jaron `Boots` Ennis, Devin Haney, Mario Barrios, and Conor Benn represent the kind of opponents Taylor hopes to face, provided he demonstrates he`s still performing at the highest level.
However, there are certain questions that still hang over the Scot.
Does he still possess the same drive and hunger?
He has participated in grueling battles throughout his career and often thrives in high-paced exchanges, which surely must have taken a physical toll.
How has his recent inactivity impacted him? With six of his last seven bouts going the full distance, questions arise about how his body will cope with another demanding push towards the top.
The persistent question that is likely to follow him throughout his career is regarding Jack Catterall. The two boxers have engaged in two brutal contests, with each fighter securing one victory.
“Officially, it`s one win each,” Taylor commented. “I`m content to move forward and leave the rivalry as it stands.”
“I was prepared for a third fight, but they weren`t interested because they believed he was close to a world title opportunity,” Taylor stated, adding that Catterall was subsequently defeated by Arnold Barboza Jr.
“I`m currently pursuing my own objectives,” he continued. “My focus is on becoming a two-weight world champion. However, if the rematch with Catterall becomes viable again and makes sense financially, I would certainly consider it, given that it`s 1-1 and it would be satisfying to decisively settle the rivalry.”
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow