Josh Taylor Says He Will Assess His Options Before Deciding Next Fight As Shock Defeat Sparks Retirement Talk 4u561l

Josh Taylor says he won’t rush into any decision on his next fight as he considers retirement following his surprise loss to Ekow Essuman.

The Scottish former undisputed champion started well in Glasgow, but quickly faded, and the judges awarded Essuman the unanimous decision.

In his first outing at welterweight, the ‘Tartan Tornado’ put in an extremely lacklustre display.

And at 34 years old, many have started to question if it may be time for Taylor to hang up the gloves.

Will Josh Taylor Fight Again? 525k5z

Speaking the morning after his defeat to Essuman, Taylor told BBC Scotland: “I’m going to take a little bit of time just to think about what’s coming.

“I’ll just relax for a couple of weeks and not make any hasty decisions. If I really feel that I’m not performing, then I will hang them up.

“I’m very disappointed in the result. Three back-to-back defeats in a row. I took it quite tough.”

Taylor refused to give any post-fight interviews in the ring, leaving hastily after the judges’ decision was announced.

“I just want to congratulate Ekow on a good performance and doing a good job and getting the win,” added Taylor.

“I congratulated him in the ring.

“But I was just totally gutted, hence the reason why I jumped out of the ring. My emotions were all over the place. I didn’t want to do an interview and end up saying something that I end up regretting.

“I really should have taken the time and opportunity to thank everybody for coming and continuing their .

“The people in the arena lifted the roof off the place. The atmosphere was unbelievable again.”

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Taylor has not fought more than once in a calendar year since 2019, something he feels has contributed to his problems.

Discussing the lack of activity, he said: “If I’m going to keep going, I need to get more active and get out at least a couple of times a year.

“I’m just gutted because I know I am better than that and I know when I’m at my best I can beat anyone. I’m just gutted.”

Should Taylor choose to keep fighting, he does still have some options.

Connor Benn 3m3p2d

He could fight Connor Benn, who Chris Eubank Jr beat by unanimous decision recently in the first defeat of Benn’s career.

Benn moved up to 160lbs to fight Eubank, and is naturally more of a 147lbs fighter.

A bout between Taylor and Benn would likely sell out, and the two have exchanged barbs online in the past.

The fight would also offer both boxers the chance of a huge payday.

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Another possibility for Taylor is to seek a third fight with Jack Catterall.  Taylor won the pair’s first fight in a split decision that surprised many.

And Catterall won the rematch unanimously, leaving the rivalry at 1-1. The two could therefore seek a trilogy to settle the scores once and for all.

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The third realistic option for Taylor is to fight Harlem Eubank Jr, who faces Catterall next.

Harlem is continuing to develop under the guidance of Chris Eubank Sr, and would provide Taylor with another big purse.

Should Josh Taylor Retire? 34631w

But for all the discussion of Josh Taylor’s next fight options, he must first decide if he truly wishes to keep going.

A bloodied mess at the end of his most recent defeat, Taylor’s face suggested the fire that once fuelled him may have extinguished.

Question marks have been hovering around him for some time, with even those close to him wondering aloud if the time has come to call it quits.

Taylor’s friend and former multiple champion Carl Frampton was among those.

He said told BBC Scotland: “I saw glimpses of real good stuff at the start from Josh and then it just started to fade in the second half and just, sadly, it looks like he’s not the fighter that he once was.

“That’s what happens when you’re involved in hard fights and you get older. It happened to me and it happens to us all.

“It’s a shame to see, a real shame to see.”

Regardless of the decision Taylor makes, he has enjoyed a stellar career, and will be ed as a great of the sport.