Harry Scarff finally found a way over the hump on the domestic level.
The scrappy welterweight outmuscled previously unbeaten Ekow Essuman to earn a twelve-round, unanimous decision in their multi-belt domestic title fight. Scores were 117-112, 116-113 and 115-113 for Scarff in their TNT Sports/ESPN+ televised battle Saturday at AO Arena in Manchester, England.
Nottingham’s Essuman forced a torrid pace in the opening rounds. Derby’s Scarff welcomed the firefight but was forced to fend off his unbeaten countryman, who was the far busier fighter which saw looping left and right hands find the mark.
Scarff was able to slow down Essuman’s attack as he switched between orthodox and southpaw. Essuman continued to rush inside but did not land at the same frequency while Scarff was able to connect with chopping shots at close quarters.
Time was called when Scarff was pushed under the chin and to the canvas early in the fifth. Essuman was warned for the infraction, but Scarff took it back in blood when he landed a left hand and an elbow immediately behind it later in the round.
Scarff took the lead in the middle rounds as Essuman was no longer as aggressive as was the case earlier in the night. The 6’1” welterweight put his height and reach advantages to good use as he was able to land long looping shots from the outside.
Essuman rediscovered his rhythm and outboxed Scarff throughout much of the ninth round. Constant bouncing and movement allowed Essuman to find the angles to connect with his jab and right hands.
Scarff fought from the center of the ring in the tenth. Essuman was light on his feet and the busier of the two but Scarff landed the more substantive punches, particularly his right hand from long range.
Both boxers were told in no uncertain terms to go out and take the final two rounds. Essuman went to the body midway through the round after Scarff landed the cleaner blows earlier in the frame. The tactical switch allowed him to move in and out, and keep the fight at his desired range while Scarff relentlessly stalked his countryman.
Scarff waded through a swarming Essuman to connect at close quarters in the twelfth and final round. Essuman continued to employ constant movement though it did not deter Scarff from working his way inside and land the more telling blows.
Scarff advanced to 13-2 (3KOs) with his biggest win to date. The 30-year-old prospect previously came up short on a similar level versus Troy Williamson and Anthony Fowler but pulled off the upset versus Essuman, who fell to 19-1 (7KOs) with his first career defeat.
The bout was part of Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren’s ‘Magnificent 7’ show.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox