Boxing: Taylor on his Game to win London title

Prestonpans boxer Josh Taylor was Scotland’s golden boy as he won the light welter-weight title yesterday in the London International Invitational at the ExCel arena, the venue for boxing at next year’s Olympics.

And the 20-year-old’s achievement was hailed as “magnificent” by his coach at the Lochend club, Terry McCormack, following his 13-10 points win over Sweden’s Anthony Yigit.

“We are not surprised because Josh was utterly determined to make a statement that he too belongs in the Olympic Games with the GB team and he and I are hoping that it might open the possibility of making a last-minute entry to the London games,” he said.

After a busy opening round which the Swede, who has won a quota place to be considered for 2012, won 3-2, Taylor stepped up his game in the second, scoring with straight shots and hooking to move into a 9-8 lead going into the last. It was a frantic final three minutes, but it was the man from East Lothian who won by the narrowest of margins.

“Taylor’s overall performance has been nothing short of sensational,” added McCormack.