Josh gets hero's welcome after Delhi medal success

Josh Taylor, 19, who won a silver medal in Delhi, was piped down Prestonpans' main street on Saturday as friends and family gave him a hero's welcome. He followed it up with a party at Prestongrange Bowling Club yesterday.

Still shell-shocked from his achievement in the international sporting spotlight - he only lost out narrowly on gold to a competitor with better resources and seven years his senior - the teenager looks set to embark on a successful career in the sport.

He told the Evening News: "I've just been overwhelmed by the whole thing.

"To be piped down the street of my home is amazing and something I never expected."

Scores of locals turned out for the celebration and queued up to pass on their congratulations to the polite, unassuming lightweight.

He was disappointed to lose out to Liverpool-based Tom Stalker, but encouraged by his performances in India.

"He told me after the fight that he'd been studying for weeks," he added.

"It was a great experience for me, and I hope to be able to fight him again soon."

His mother, Diane, 47, a receptionist at Meadowbank Sports Centre, paid glowing tribute to her son's focus and determination.

She said: "It's not easy for a boy of 19 when he sees all his friends going out drinking.

"But he's really dedicated, he'll go out but happily say he can't drink because he's got this or that coming up.

"I think he's still really stunned by everything and taking it all in."

His father James, 47, a council driver, added: "I always had faith that he was a world-class fighter, and I knew he could come back with a medal."

Josh and his family will now have to make a decision, along with his trainer Terry McCormack, of Lochend Boxing Gym, about the future. Options include turning professional or attempting to secure full-time funding, possibly down south.

Mr McCormack said: "We don't have the resources up here that they do in England.

"When you see the time and technology Stalker had to watch Josh, it really shows you the difference.

"I think with that level of input, Josh could have won the gold.

"We'll sit down and talk about what's next. I've no doubt if he turned professional he could be competing for titles within a year, year-and-a-half.

"I knew he had something when I saw him sparring with the likes of Alex Arthur, what's key now is getting funding so he can do this full-time.

"Getting the silver was the best achievement I've ever seen for an amateur. His dedication is terrific - it has to be in this sport or you get left behind - but he is in training five or six times a week."