He emerged to an amazing ovation from the gang in Glasgow, a metropolis the place so a lot of his best nights have taken place, and had the followers off their seats with an aggressive begin, catching his 36-year-old opponent with some good photographs.
Essuman took these properly and got here out quick within the third spherical, connecting with a giant proper hand that snapped Taylor’s head again and despatched a message he was right here to combat.
Then got here the explosive fourth. Taylor despatched Essuman back-pedalling in direction of the ropes with a peach of a shot, just for Essuman to reply in form and wobble Taylor with a straight proper hand.
The center rounds noticed the tempo sluggish considerably, although a nasty minimize opened round Taylor’s left eye within the seventh, probably from a conflict of heads.
Inspired by the sight of blood operating down his opponent’s face, Essuman got here on sturdy within the eighth, backing Taylor up and discovering gaps in his defence.
The underdog was choosing his moments to strike properly, although Taylor’s larger output maybe simply edged the ninth.
Essuman’s proper hand discovered the bullseye once more a number of occasions within the tenth as Taylor tiring.
The ultimate spherical appeared prefer it may very well be very important on the scorecards, and whereas the house crowd appeared to evoke their hero for one final effort, neither fighter may land the decisive blow.
The scorecards of 116-113, 116-112, and 115-113 had been met with dismay – although not disbelief – by the followers within the Hydro, who at the moment are left to surprise if they’ll see the Tartan Twister in a hoop once more.
