Josh Taylor's team keen to fulfil Edinburgh Castle wish

Josh Taylor celebrates with his team, including Barry McGuigan, second right. Pic: ANDREW O'BRIEN

The Prestonpans fighter, who made a successful first defence of his Commonwealth super lightweight title with a sixth-round stoppage of South African Warren Joubert on Friday night, has been vocal of his desire to box within the grounds of the Capital’s most iconic venue, Edinburgh Castle.

How receptive Historic Scotland would be to the notion of turning the esplanade into a temporary boxing venue for the evening remains to be seen, but McGuigan believes that decision may lie within the lap of the gods.

“Josh wants to box at Edinburgh Castle – that’s his dream,” the former WBA featherweight champion said. “We will have to try and make that work one day but we’ll need to find the one month of the year where it doesn’t rain down in Edinburgh!

“But that’s what he’d love to do at some point. We’d like to move him around as well. Remember he’s already fought in America three times and has been on the undercard of world title fights out there.

“He made his pro debut on a title bill in Texas [defeating Archie Weah in July 2015], which I don’t ever remember seeing happen before.”

It came as no surprise to McGuigan to see the 26-year-old rack up his ninth win in the paid ranks at Meadowbank on Friday night, such is the talent he believes he has at his disposal.

“Josh has got so many gears. He made a guy with 35 fights under his belt look like a novice,” the Irishman explained.

“It was a great performance. It wasn’t faultless though, and he’ll need to make some slight adjustments. The cut [above his left eye following a head knock in the first round] will delay his next fight a little bit.

“There are fights at British level, such as Ohara Davies, Jack Caterall, Robbie Davies – they will say they want to fight Josh but they won’t want to really.

“We don’t really care about those guys. We are looking at the top of the mountain. Forgive me if I sound rambunctious, but that’s where he’s going – the whole way.”

McGuigan continued: “Josh sparred with the European champion [Anthony] Yegit last year and he was way too good for him.

“So we won’t get that fight unless we pay him stupid money or go to Sweden. It’s not going to happen so we’ll need to circumnavigate that one.

“There are some talented kids coming through but I am excited about this guy because he’s a phenomenal talent. He’s got the ability to fight Ricky Burns just now. My only concern is the gap between having nine professional fights to world level.

“Let’s say he gets there in 12. Where do you go after that? You can’t just pause and hold those titles for a couple of years. That’s the dilemma.”

It’s not just Taylor’s prowess in the ring that McGuigan purrs over.

“Josh has got the lot. He’s very funny, he’s good looking, got a big fan base, look at the atmosphere the other night,” he said.

“They love him in America as well. Showtime love him and put him first on their show last time out there [Las Vegas in January].

“It’s hard not to get over-excited and saying things that our opposition class as exaggerations. But he’s just very talented.

“At each stage we’ll stop and have a look but I know from what I’ve see in the fights and in sparring and see we’ve got a future world champion.

“We know boxing can change in the blink of an eye but he’s a special talent.”