Recently retired former undisputed junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor is staying occupied, in-and-around the sport he's immersed himself in for almost two full decades.

While his foray to welterweight fell flat and ultimately proved the final hurrah in an esteemed career, two of his former foes will do battle in an unofficial WBO title eliminator on the Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn II undercard this weekend.

Jack Catterall (31-2, 13 KOs) and Ekow Essuman (22-1, 8 KOs) seek a statement victory on the grandest stage either man will have graced, knowing bigger bouts at 147-pounds await the winner.

Essuman is the WBO's No. 3-ranked contender for Brian Norman Jr's belt, which he'll defend against two-division champion Devin Haney the following week on 'Ring IV: Night of Champions' in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Catterall sits five places below after his anticlimactic seventh-round technical decision win over Harlem Eubank in July.

Taylor had an unexpected two-fight series with Catterall, two years apart, winning a contentious 12-round split decision during his homecoming - his first and only title defence - before losing a competitive contest on points in Leeds last year.

Essuman expertly extinguished any hopes of a Taylor rebirth at Glasgow's SSE Hydro in May and two months later, 'The Tartan Tornado' reluctantly bid farewell to boxing, listening to medical advice surrounding a recurring eye issue.

Embracing his newfound role as a pundit on BBC and Queensberry broadcasts of high-profile British fights in recent months, Taylor didn't mince words when previewing their crossroads clash.

"I think Jack wins, quite easily," he told The Ring.

"It's tailor-made for him style-wise, he likes to sit and wait on you [to advance], Ekow comes forward and pushes the pace but isn't cute with his work, you see everything coming, anticipate the shots so Catterall will win quite comfortably.

"For me it was a piss-easy fight [against Essuman] until six or seven rounds in, took my foot off the gas and switched off, let him get into the fight and he worked his game plan better. I couldn't get going, but Catterall will."

When asked about Catterall's newfound coaching partnership with Philadelphia-based Bozy Ennis, he stressed the sport was a selfish one that all things considered, warrants difficult decisions to maximise one's potential.

"If he wants to progress his career, then why not go for it? He probably felt like he had stagnated with Jamie and Nigel, so if that's the move he needs to reach that next level, it's a no-brainer. It's a very selfish sport, so you've got to look after yourself."

Catterall echoed the sentiment Essuman has vulnerabilities to exploit, albeit with a more diplomatic tone when asked about how he matches up against a recent sparring partner.

Bozy was more demonstrative with his answer, telling BoxingScene: "You gon' see. Once we get this guy out the way, just like with Andy [Cruz], he's getting better and better. [Essuman is] just a puncher, no defense. All Jack gotta do is box him; lateral movement; inside, outside, a lot of feints. Jack should prevail with this fight."