Josh Taylor, the former undisputed junior welterweight champion, is set to make his welterweight debut against Ekow Essuman in Glasgow. At 34, Taylor is in supreme condition, thanks to his move up to welterweight, where he has a few more pounds to play with.

Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) insists he had no issues making 140 pounds in his previous division. However, the time has come for a move up in weight, and Taylor can feel the difference as he prepares for his debut at 147 pounds.

"I'm basically my natural weight. I'm a couple of pounds over just now which is nothing. I'm eating and I'm full of energy and I'm full of beans," Taylor says.

Taylor is chasing big fights, reminiscent of his 2023 clash against Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. Essuman (21-1, 8 KOs) will be a tough test for Taylor, who has only fought three times in the last four years.

"Get the win this weekend then I'm in the mix for some big fights at welterweight, but I'm not thinking about that because Ekow's a very tough test," he explains.

Taylor aims to become a two-weight world champion, a feat not beyond comprehension for one of Britain's best-ever fighters. However, he needs a convincing victory to prove he can compete with the best in a now-stacked division.

Jaron "Boots" Ennis, Devin Haney, Mario Barrios, and Conor Benn are just a few names Taylor will be dreaming of if he shows he is still at the elite level.

Questions remain: Does Taylor still have the hunger? How has inactivity affected him? And what about Jack Catterall? The pair have shared two brutal clashes, winning one each.

"It's one a piece officially. I'm happy to move on and leave it where it is," Taylor says. "If the fight comes back around and it's tasty enough in terms of numbers wise, then I'll entertain it because it's one apiece and it would be good to settle the score."