Ekow Essuman says he holds the utmost respect for his former Team GB stablemate Josh Taylor, but has warned him to expect the unexpected as the two welterweight rivals get set to collide at the top of Queensberry's upcoming bill in Glasgow on Saturday night.
The pair came through the ranks together at the start of their careers, with Taylor going on to establish himself as one of the finest operators of his generation - securing undisputed glory at super-lightweight - and Essuman capturing the British welterweight strap.
However, after punishing defeats at the hands of Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall, Taylor, who is set to fight under the Queensberry banner for the first time, has made the decision to jump up a division in a bid to fulfil his dream of becoming a two-weight world champion.
'The Tartan Tornado's' first test at the new weight class will come against a familiar face, and whilst Essuman anticipates his opponent being well versed on his own in-ring qualities, he has promised to add a new, previously unseen, dimension to his fighting style.
"You guys are going to see something special. That's all I can say," the 36-year-old told The Ring Magazine.
I'd like to think you'll see sides of me that you know already, but, trust me, you'll see other sides too!
- Ekow Essuman (The Ring Magazine)
In contrast to build-ups to many of Taylor's previous bouts, there's been a distinct lack of animosity and aggression between the two fighters, with the pair clearly possessing respect for the other.
Whilst Essuman says he wouldn't have it any other way, having held the East Lothian native in incredibly high-regard since first meeting well over a decade ago, he is adamant that things will change as soon as the first bell tolls.
"When I respect someone there's extra venom in the ring. I can only expect that from him so it's the same on both sides," he added.
"To be honest, I personally touted him as one of the higher talents on GB whilst I was there so I always had respect for him.
"I was always just shooting from the hip of him, just being really honest and whatnot.
"We've talked a few times as pros, just about matches we'd had and stuff like that, and the respect was always there - he knows I respect him."
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Rob Tebbutt maps out Josh Taylor's path to welterweight world title glory ahead of 147lbs debut
Former undisputed super-lightweight king Josh Taylor begins his quest to become a two weight world champion against Ekow Essuman this weekend, and our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt has mapped out the most logical path to welterweight glory for the 'Tartan Tornado'.
Mark Mothershaw
20 May 25
