'I'm better, smarter and hit harder' - Essuman

Ekow Essuman says he has learned to be a more cunning and commanding fighter as he tries to close in on a world title shot.

The 36-year-old welterweight from Nottingham will take on Jack Catterall, the only other British boxer ranked in the World Boxing Organisation top 10 in the division, on the undercard of the rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Saturday's bout is not officially billed as a world title eliminator, but what happens in the ring will undoubtedly impact whether they remain in line to challenge for a belt.

"I've been building, I've been getting better, smarter, I've been getting more crafty, sneakier and more cerebral," Essuman told BBC East Midlands today.

"I've been hitting harder and hitting faster, I'm being more vicious and have more intent. I'm ready."

Essuman is third in the WBO rankings, with a record of 22 wins and just a solitary defeat in his decade-long professional career.

"To build a good house you have to have good foundations. And all that work I've been putting in has just been building that foundation," Essuman said.

"I have a good house now, I'm just putting the little bits on top and I'll make a good job of it."

For Essuman, this is another stern test of those foundations and his credentials after he shocked former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor for a career-best win in Glasgow six months ago.

Chorley's Catterall beat Taylor himself just last year, avenging what a controversial split-decision points defeat in 2022 that saw the Scot hold onto his WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO belts.

But Catterall's defeat by American Arnold Barboza Jr in Manchester earlier this year came as another blow to the Briton's world title ambitions.

Essuman admits beating Catterall and positioning himself as a world-title contender would "mean everything" after years of hard graft.

"To be a champion, you have to have that relentless pursuit of passion towards what you are going for," he said.

"And yes, I'd love to get it. But I'm fighting for so much more than myself.

"I'm doing it for my kids, my wife and my family."