Josh Taylor broke his silence on his defeat by Ekow Essuman with a statement that suggested he is considering his future as a professional prizefighter.

On the occasion of his first fight at welterweight, the former undisputed junior-welterweight champion unexpectedly lost – at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, so close to his home in Scotland – via unanimous decision to Essuman, who was previously untested at world level.

The defeat was the 34-year-old Taylor’s third in succession – he previously lost decisions to his rival Jack Catterall and to Teofimo Lopez on a night on which Lopez particularly excelled – and, despite his move into a new weight division and to a new promotional organisation in Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, the outcome appeared to leave him with few options with which to revive his once-celebrated career.

That Taylor underperformed in earning the most controversial of decisions over Catterall in 2022 means it is not since 2021, when he was undefeated and became the first to defeat Jose Carlos Ramirez, that he has looked at his very best.

He has also struggled with injuries since the first of his two fights with Catterall; the contest with the 36-year-old Essuman was his fifth in five years. 

“I would just like to apologise to all the fans for leaving the ring before having an interview and before taking the time to thank you all for showing up and showing out, as you always have done over the past 10 years,” Taylor posted on social media. “I headed to the changing rooms because I did not want to say something in the heat of the moment or that I’d later regret on live TV.

“Your support means the world to me and you’ve created wonderful memories for me that will stay with me until the day I die. You’ve all helped to create some incredible moments in my life and despite the result, [Saturday] night was another special night that was right up there, so thanks each and every one of you.

“Thank you to Queensberry for bringing a big show back to Scotland and to Ekow once again on the victory.”

Taylor – who may yet be invested in the outcome of Catterall’s fight, also at welterweight, against Harlem Eubank on July 5 – had earlier posted an image of him alongside Essuman, the Nottingham-based Botswanan who recorded his finest ever victory.

“Respect after our fight,” the post read. “Congratulations on a good win. Respect you, your team and family. Thanks for a good fight.”