FORMER undisputed world champion Josh Taylor is dreaming of opening his own boxing gym when he hangs up his gloves.

The light-welterweight star was awarded the Freedom of East Lothian by East Lothian Council last week.

The award, recognising the Prestonpans star's achievements in boxing on the world stage, comes as he targets getting back in the ring and once again becoming world champion.

However, Taylor, who now lives in Haddington, has also begun to think about the future and starting a family with wife Danielle.

Josh Taylor (centre), surrounded by his family, has started looking to life beyond boxingJosh Taylor (centre), surrounded by his family, has started looking to life beyond boxing (Image: East Lothian Council)

He spoke to the Courier at the civic reception and outlined his plans for when he steps away from the ring.

The 33-year-old said: “You have to be smart with your investments and I believe I have made a couple of good investments.

“There are always other things to do and to keep me busy.

“I would love to set up a boxing gym round about here and this opportunity today is a good chance to speak about that sort of stuff as well.

“There is not anything here in East Lothian for a boxing community and I just think having a boxing community in and around here would be great because it is an avenue to take kids off the street when there is nothing really to do on the streets.

“Boxing can give a discipline to the wild. It can give a confidence to the shy.

“It creates so many opportunities in terms of self-development, self-growth.”

Taylor, who attended Preston Lodge High School during his school days, enjoyed a successful amateur career in the ring.

He won silver at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008 before finishing in the same spot at the Commonwealth Games two years later.

 

 

Taylor, who was a member of Lochend Amateur Boxing Club in Edinburgh, also participated at the Summer Olympics in London in 2012 before going on to win gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Since turning professional, he has won more than half a dozen titles, including becoming undisputed light-welterweight champion when he defeated Jose Ramirez to add the WBC and WBO titles to the WBA (Super) and IBF crowns he had previously won.

Taylor highlighted the skills that boxing could provide to the next generation.

He said: “It teaches you discipline, self-respect, honour, everything.

“I think every community in Scotland should have a boxing club because it teaches you great morals and great things in life.

“Even if you don’t want to go in and box, but the art of learning it, learning respect, discipline and in self-discipline to not act on things.

“I think it is a great teacher of life.”