SUPERSTAR boxer Josh Taylor has dedicated his historic world championship win to his girlfriend Danielle Murphy’s late dad.

Josh, from Prestonpans, beat American Regis Prograis in the final of the World Boxing Super Series at super lightweight at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.

Speaking from the ring, he dedicated his win to Danielle’s dad James Murphy, also from Prestonpans, who died on September 15 at the age of 47.

Josh said: “I want to dedicate this fight to my father-in-law, who passed away on September 15. Jimmy, this is for you.”

Danielle told the Courier the dedication meant the world to her and said her dad would have been thrilled.

James Murphy was a joiner who lived on South Grange Avenue, Prestonpans, with his wife of 16 years Lorraine and their 10-year-old son Connor.

Josh chose James’ favourite song to be his ringwalk music on Saturday: Step On by the Happy Mondays.

Danielle told the Courier: “It just means the world to me that Josh dedicated his win to my dad.

“He [my dad] would have been cheesing about it.

“It’s been a really hard time just now. It’s only been six weeks since we lost him.

“He was very proud of Josh. He would have been behind him 100 per cent. They had a very close relationship.

“My dad was loved by everyone and he was a really funny man.

“There was a really good turnout for his funeral and that just shows how loved and respected he was.”

Diane Taylor, Josh’s mum, said that her son had been emotional about James’ death since returning home to Prestonpans.

She told the Courier: “He was really emotional when he dedicated his win to James, I think that most people who knew him were.

“The entrance song Josh chose was also James’ favourite.

He had him in his mind from the beginning of the fight.”

And she added: “Josh has had to distance himself from the emotional side of things with Danielle and her family, which has been difficult, but they’ve understood that.

“He was really close to James and he has only just been able to start grieving now.

“He has been quite emotional about it since he got home.”