Barrington Brown, Essuman's trainer, asks for '10% more work' in the break following the fifth round.

I can't decide which fighter deserves more credit for battling through here, both dodge out of unrelenting attacks, looking unfazed and ready to go again instantly.

Taylor landed a smart clip around the corner and notably had a bounce in his step afterwards, a cagier affair now with a few tie-ups taking some momentum out of it.

And again, with just seconds to go, Taylor flies forward with a smattering of lefts and rights. He looks far more dynamic at this weight than his previous fight.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro

This is quickly turning into a firefight!

A pretty cagey round burst into life as Josh Taylor lands a heavy left-hand on Essuman's chin.

A moment later, Essuman replies with a piercing left and a powerful right.

Less frenetic footwork in that round, more slugging it out.

Carl Frampton
Former world champion on DAZN

I have Taylor one round up, he won the first two, and Ekow won the third.

I have the impression that Josh is playing up to the crowd a little and wants to impress.

We're seeing glimpses of the old Josh Taylor, I think that's down to the weight.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro, Glasgow

Third round to Ekow Essuman.

He connected with some big shots and looks to be growing in confidence.

The home crowd not quite as buoyant now.

Taylor looks to keep the foot to the floor as the third round starts and Essuman sparks into life.

He forces Taylor onto the back foot and breaks through the guard of Taylor, drawing a few sharp intakes of breath from the Hydro faithful.

A great watch so far with a ton of intent from both fighters, both styles complement each other well, it's compelling stuff.

Again, with just seconds to the bell, Taylor rallies and lands a few telling shots. This is a great watch.

Image source, SNS

Superb from Taylor to start the second round, just as Essuman looked to break through, he pushed him back on the ropes and followed with a barrage of landed punches.

Essuman, who sports a venomous right hand when it lands, is doing well to remain composed against the fast-starting Scotsman.

Taylor looks determined to penetrate Essuman's guard as the round draws to a close and lands a body blow second before the bell.

Taylor's high-energy start continues - keeping it up will be a battle, though.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro, Glasgow

Aggressive start from Josh Taylor here and the crowd are responding.

Essuman taking the shots well though.

Taylor worked Essuman from the centre of the ring, taking him to the ropes once and getting the crowd off their seats.

Essuman took his time and refused to be rash. He stalked Taylor across the ring, but the home favourite took him back to the ropes and landed a few heavy body blows.

A solid start from Taylor in the first of a possible 12 rounds.

Essuman, out of the red corner, is introduced by the ring announcer to a chrous of boos.

Taylor, out of the blue corner and wearing tartan trunks, is unsurprisingly cheered to the rafters by the crowd.

We're seconds away from this bout beginning.

Taylor hasn't even left his dressing room yet, and we've now had bagpipes for Flower of Scotland - the Hydro crowd loved that one.

He does now head to the ramp to the ring, with Insomnia by Faithless blasting around the arena.

A pre-recorded VT plays out with Taylor giving his version of Trainspotting's 'choose life' speech, tailored to key moments in his career so far, with him acting out parts of it.

Certainly won't say this to his face, but don't give up the day job...

Ekow 'The Engine' Essuman makes the walk to the ring wearing a rather interesting mask.

He eyes the camera and looks completely unfazed by the home crowd.

Image source, SNS

Some call it the most scientific sports polling around. The thumbs in a BBC live text.

Thumbs up for Taylor cementing his two-weight legacy

Thumbs down for Essuman triumphing

Taylor's stated aim is to emulate Carl Frampton by becoming a two-weight world champion, and the Northern Irishman believes the 34-year-old is capable of climbing to the top of the mountain again in a new division.

"I think it's going to be the making of him now moving up to welterweight," Frampton said.

"Undisputed light-welterweight champion, a marquee division, he's done that, he's ticked that box.

"If he retired tomorrow his career has been incredible, but I think Josh wants to win a world title in the second division, in the welterweight division, another marquee division and I think he can do it.

"A two-weight world champion to go along with the undisputed champion at 140. What a fighter - he doesn't get the credit he deserves."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro

Heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma continued his rapid rise with another demonstration of his extraordinary power. The 20-year-old floored the American Mike Balogun three times en route to a second-round stoppage.

There was plenty of Scottish interest on the undercard, not least the highly anticipated featherweight clash between Lee McGregor and Nathaniel Collins.

Most expected a tight affair, but Glasgow fighter Collins produced a scintillating performance to drop his Edinburgh rival three times, with McGregor’s corner throwing in the towel in round four.

Welterweight Reese Lynch, a gold medallist for Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, stepped into the pro ranks in impressive style with a second-round stoppage of Jonatas de Oliveira.

Aston Brown became the new Scottish middleweight champion with a devastating first-round knockout of Reece Porter.

Former world champion Alex Arthur was ringside to see his son, also Alex, mark his professional debut with a dominant points win over Robbie Chapman in a four-round contest.

Drew Limond, son of the late Willie Limond, also prevailed on points. The 19-year-old controlled the four rounds against Argentine fighter Ezequiel Gregores.

East Kilbride cruiserweight David Jamieson was taken out in three rounds by the heavy-handed Aloys Junior.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at The Hydro, Glasgow

How much does Josh Taylor have left in the tank?

It's a question that has been hanging over the Tartan Tornado for some time.

The Scot seems convinced the step up to welterweight -a move many believe should have happened long before now - will see a return to top form.

We'll learn a lot tonight. Anything approaching a peak Taylor should win and win well against Ekow Essuman.

Conversely, if it's the version we've seen in his last three fights, he could be in for a long night.

It will be fascinating.

Carl Frampton says we will find out just how much Taylor has got left to give to boxing when he takes on Essuman.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the new version of Josh Taylor, the welterweight version," Frampton told BBC Scotland.

"Light-welterweight was just hard for him, but I imagine we're going to see a rejuvenated Josh Taylor and I'm excited about it.

"It's a really under-the-radar dangerous fight because Ekow is maybe not the biggest name in the world, but he's a really good fighter, strong as a bull, fit as a fiddle.

"Ekow 'The Engine' is his nickname and he'll be there all night and he'll be trying all night.

"Josh will be in a fight and I think we'll find out how much Josh actually has left in this game after the performance.

"I fancy Josh to win it, I think he'll look good winning it as well but no doubt Ekow will cause him a few problems."

Image source, SNS