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From Hoops to Hooks: Ekow Essuman's Unlikely Journey to Boxing Stardom Before Josh Taylor Showdown




I remember watching this kid Ekow Essuman back in 2018 at a small hall show in Nottingham. Nobody gave him a second glance. Now he's about to welcome one of Scotland's greatest ever fighters to the welterweight division. Life's funny that way.

Essuman's path to boxing stardom is anything but conventional. Born in Botswana, he moved to the UK when he was just 11 years old with dreams that had nothing to do with boxing gloves or ring walks. Basketball was his first love – a passion that still makes him light up when talking about his early days.

When Basketball Dreams Get Shattered

God. The rejection must've stung. Imagine putting everything into making a basketball team only to be told you're "not fit enough" and need to be more "ambidextrous." That's exactly what happened to Essuman during tryouts for a big local team.

Instead of moping around (like I would've), he decided to take up boxing – not as a career path, but simply to get fitter for basketball. Talk about accidental career changes!



"I gave it a go and my first session, I had two left feet and struggled with teh bag," Essuman confessed in an interview with Fight Post. "I slowly got into it and it got to the point where I thought 'I'll have one bout' and I just caught the bug."

Juggling University Life with Bloody Noses

While most university students were recovering from hangovers, Essuman was balancing Marketing, Design and Communications studies at Nottingham Trent with trips to Sheffield for GB squad training.

Let that sink in.

He'd literally take university assignments to training camp, working on them between sessions and at night when he should've been resting. Who does that? The man was clearly obsessed... or insane. Possibly both.

From Coding Websites to Breaking Noses

After graduating, Essuman became a junior web developer. My cousin does that job and barely has time to shower, let alone train as an elite athlete.

"I was working on up to 40 websites for them at the time, in different countries, in different languages as well. I was doing that whilst at GB," he explained.

Eventually, something had to give. When offered a podium spot with Team GB, the coding career took a backseat. Priorities, right?

The Professional Leap (Or Was It More Like Stumbling Forward?)

2016 marked Essuman's professional debut under legendary promoter Frank Warren. Nine years and 22 fights later, he's collected British and Commonwealth titles like they're Pokemon cards.

His record isn't perfect though. Last year he tasted defeat for the first time against Harry Scarff – a loss that would've crushed many fighters. But Essuman? He's bounced back with two solid wins since then.

That resilience reminds me of a conversation I had with an old boxing trainer from East London who once told me, "It ain't about never falling down, it's about how quickly you get back up adn throw another punch." Essuman embodies that philosophy perfectly.

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting

This weekend in Scotland, Essuman welcomes former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor to the 147lb division. It's like hosting a housewarming party where you plan to beat up your guest – boxing is weird that way.

The fascinating twist? These guys know each other from their GB days in Sheffield. There's history here.

"I personally touted him as one of the higher talents on GB whilst I was there so I always had respect for him," Essuman told Ring Magazine. "We've talked a few times as pros, just about matches we'd had and stuff like that, and the respect was always there."

Is Taylor's Career Hanging by a Thread?

After back-to-back losses to Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall, Taylor's moving up in weight with his career potentially on the line. It's like watching a wounded lion – still dangerous but increasingly vulnerable.

Essuman's not being polite about his intentions either: "Regardless of if he has the answers or not, he will come apart because I'm not going to let anything else happen but that."

Ouch. Tell us how you really feel, Ekow.

I've got £50 with my editor saying this fight doesn't go the distance. Taylor's too proud and Essuman's too hungry. Someone's getting stopped, and my money's on the basketball player-turned-coder-turned-boxer to have his hand raised.

From Botswana to the bright lights. From basketball rejection to boxing glory. Ekow Essuman's story reads like fiction... except it's all gloriously real.


Frequently Asked Questions

How does one progress from amateur to professional boxing?

In order to transition from amateur boxing into professional, there is a major increase in the intensity of competitions, training and mental prep. An amateur boxer is required to establish a record of success, usually by honing their skills at local and national contests. To be able to secure professional bouts, it is important to have a professional license in boxing and align yourself with experienced managers or trainers.


How long will it take me to become a boxer professional?

The time needed to become a professional fighter can vary greatly. It depends on a person's ability, adaptability, and quality of training. It can take a number of years to develop the necessary skills and gain enough amateur experience. Some exceptional talents may progress more quickly than others, but some will need more time.


How important is physical fitness in professional boxing?

Physical fitness is essential for professional boxing. The sport requires high levels of speed, strength, endurance, agility, and endurance. Professional boxers need to engage in a customized fitness program, which includes aerobic and anaerobic exercise, strength and resistance exercises, and flexibility workouts. Boxers' ability to perform and train effectively in the ring will be compromised if they do not have superior physical condition.


Does learning professional boxing have an age restriction?

Age restrictions do exist in professional boxing. Most boxing commissions require that boxers be 18 years or older to compete professionally. While there isn't a specific upper age limit, health and physical factors will limit how old you can compete safely and effectively. The fitness of older athletes and the risks involved in taking up professional sports must be carefully assessed before they begin.


What role do managers and promoters have in the professional career of a boxer?

Promoters and managers have a major role to play in a fighter's professional life. Managers have the responsibility of managing a boxer’s career, negotiating contract and dealing with his business affairs. The managers also help the boxer to choose the best fights, and look after his interests. Promoters focus their efforts on organizing events, marketing the fights, and attracting sponsor and audience attention.


What diet should a boxer who is a novice follow?

A boxer who is a novice should eat a healthy diet. This will help him recover from intense training and fuel his workouts. The general recommendation is to eat a combination of carbohydrates and proteins for energy. Lean protein helps repair and grow muscles, while healthy fats are good for your overall health. Hydration, vitamins, and minerals are critical as well. Consulting a sports dietician can help you create a tailored diet that fits your boxer's goals and training routine.


What are the risks associated with professional boxing?

Professional boxing, like any contact sport, carries inherent risks. This includes acute injuries like cuts, bruises broken bones and head trauma as well as chronic conditions such as concussions or neurological disorders. Proper training, safety equipment, and adherence to boxing regulations help mitigate risks, but they can never be fully eliminated. Boxing professionally requires you to accept and understand these risks.


Statistics

  • Reports suggest that successful professional boxers can earn upwards of 50 times more than the median purse for entry-level professionals per fight.
  • On average, a professional boxer spars between 100 to 200 rounds in preparation for a major fight.
  • Cardiovascular fitness is critical, with a focus on high intensity interval training, comprising up to 40% of a boxer's conditioning program.
  • Nutrition experts emphasize that over 70% of a boxer's diet should focus on carbohydrates and proteins for energy and recovery.
  • Statistical data indicates that there has been a 15% increase in the number of professional boxing gyms over the last decade.
  • The average age for boxers to turn professional is between 18 to 25 years, though many continue to compete well into their 30s and beyond.
  • Around 60% of professional boxers supplement their income with other activities or jobs, due to variability in fight earnings.

External Links

titleboxing.com

boxingnews24.com

usaboxing.org

proboxing-fans.com

ibhof.com

teamusa.org

precisionstriking.com

How To

How to Select the Best Boxing Equipment

It is important to choose the right boxing equipment for safety and effective training. Investing in gloves that offer adequate cushioning and wrist protection is a wise investment. Hand wraps are essential for protecting your hands and knuckles; learn how to wrap them correctly. A mouthguard can protect your teeth from concussions and will reduce the chance of injury. To train, you can use a variety punching bags to improve your technique. You should also invest in a pair of durable boxing boots that provide good ankle support and grip.