COMMONWEALTH Games gold medallist Josh Taylor has described the feeling of winning on home soil as “the highlight of my career”.

Glasgow was confirmed as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday morning.

It was in the city 10 years ago that Taylor announced himself on the world stage when he defeated Namibia’s Jonas Junias in the light-welterweight final.

And, despite going on to make history in the professional ranks, Taylor revealed that August 2, 2014, was right up there with his best achievements.

He said: “It brings back awesome memories.

“Being in Glasgow in 2014, the weather, the city was buzzing.

“The city was alive and the excitement for the Games coming to Scotland.

“It was a great experience and I have got great memories of Glasgow 2014.

“I went to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and fell just short in the final.

“If I had won gold, that would have been fantastic, but doing it in Glasgow and standing on the top spot of the podium singing Flower of Scotland with 10,000 Scots is the highlight of my career.

“I went on to become undisputed world champion [in the pro ranks] but the proudest moment of my career was singing Flower of Scotland on top of the podium.

“It was brilliant and one of the best memories of my life.”

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Gold at the event, where Scotland won four medals in boxing, helped launch the 33-year-old’s professional career.

He would go on to win the Commonwealth light-welterweight title in just his seventh professional bout before adding the WBC Silver light-welterweight belt.

The IBF light-welterweight title would follow after defeating Ivan Baranchyk – also in Glasgow – and he would add the WBA (Super) belt before going on to unify the division by beating Jose Carlos Ramirez in Las Vegas in 2021 to also claim the WBC and WBO belts.

Taylor, who grew up in Prestonpans and now lives in Haddington, said that success in Glasgow “propelled” him into the professional ranks and added: “It put me on a good platform straight away.”

Scotland came home with five boxing medals from the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

Now, former Preston Lodge High School pupil Taylor is confident that the next generation of Scottish boxers can enjoy a similar experience in Glasgow in the summer of 2026.

The Scottish city stepped in after the state of Victoria in Australia pulled out from hosting the international event.

Taylor told Courier Sport: “The Scottish boxing team did well in the last one in Birmingham and got a couple of gold and bronze medals.

“Scottish boxing is in a great place at the minute.

“They have got a group of young lads and lassies coming through.

“I think it is in a good place in terms of numbers and talent wise.”