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Josh Taylor says he no longer carries the burden of expectation as he takes the first step in his bid to become a two-weight world champion against Ekow Essuman in Glasgow on Saturday.<\/b><\/p>\n
After the peak of cleaning out the light-welterweight division to become the UK’s first undisputed champion in the four-belt era in 2021, the Scot’s career has lost momentum.<\/p>\n
Since that memorable victory over Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas five years ago, Taylor has fought just three times \u2013 a controversial points victory over Jack Catterall, a decision loss to American star Teofimo Lopez and a points defeat in the Catterall rematch last year.<\/p>\n
“I feel like all the expectation of the whole nation, it’s all kind of gone now,” Taylor, 34, told BBC Scotland.<\/p>\n
“So there’s been a kind of a weight and a cloud lifted from above my head. I’m back to enjoying my boxing, I’m back to just going about my business and proving people wrong again.<\/p>\n
“After I’d become undisputed, I went stale. I had done it, I had achieved it, completed it. So now it’s back to the drawing board, and we’ll have to go into becoming a two-weight world champion.”<\/p>\n
Taylor is a strong favourite against 36-year-old Essuman, a durable opponent but one who has never got near the level the Scot has been operating at.<\/p>\n
The Tartan Tornado knows a defeat against the WBO European welterweight titleholder is unthinkable. He needs to win, and win well.<\/p>\n
“I don’t care what way it comes – by way of knockout or stoppage, or retirement, points win, comprehensive points win, said Taylor, who is gearing up for just his sixth fight in the past six years.<\/p>\n
“As long as I look good getting the win, that’s what matters. As long as I perform well, and get the belief back in me again from other people.<\/p>\n
“I’ve not even comprehended losing, it can’t come into my mind. It can’t happen, it won’t happen.<\/p>\n
“If that does happen and I have to go and climb back down the ladder and fight lesser opponents to get back up to where I am now, and then move up \u2013 nah, I’m not doing that.<\/p>\n
“I’m here to be the best.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n