PRESTONPANS boxing star Josh Taylor was “on cloud nine” after lifting the Commonwealth Super Lightweight title in front of a home crowd on Friday.

Taylor stopped England’s Dave Ryan with 15 seconds left of the fifth round in their bout at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Arena to win his first professional belt, in just his seventh professional fight.

The 25-year-old, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist in Glasgow two years ago, had already knocked Ryan down twice before the referee stepped in to end the fight.

That sparked jubilant celebrations and the county star, nicknamed The Tartan Tornado, was thrilled to have won the belt.

He said: “It’s the best win of my career – I’m absolutely on cloud nine.

“I knew I could do it but I felt a bit of pressure because Barry [McGuigan, manager] has hyped me up a lot. I’m absolutely delighted, it’s amazing.”

The 2,000-strong crowd were lively throughout the bout, with renditions of Flower of Scotland and chants of ‘there’s only one Josh Taylor’ echoing around the Edinburgh venue.

Taylor, who fought at the arena 12 months ago as he beat Adam Mate inside 90 seconds, told Courier Sport: “I could hear it all from the dressing room and when I came out, I just took a minute. Normally I’m quite focused and I just want to get to the ring, but tonight I just took my time.

“To win the belt in front of my family and my friends is amazing – a lot of them won’t have seen me fight before.”

His performance also won praise from manager McGuigan, himself a former world champion.

He said: “It was a brilliant performance.

“He’s gelling so well with Shane [McGuigan, trainer] and he is so naturally talented. He is a tremendous puncher and he didn’t hit that guy [Dave Ryan] cleanly once tonight, but his shot selection is excellent.

“You could see he became more relaxed as the fight went on.

“I’ve said all along he is a wonderful talent – he is making unbelievable improvements.”

Shane McGuigan added: “Dave Ryan has only been stopped once before and that was on an injury, but Josh just took him out and he didn’t lose a round.

"He’ll keep blowing these domestic guys out of the water, and I was really happy with how he performed.”

Less than an hour after claiming his maiden professional belt, Taylor’s attentions had already turned to the potential of fighting in London next month.

He added: “I’ll take a bit of time off now and we’ll see how I’m feeling but there’s a chance of being on the George Groves undercard at Wembley Arena. It’s pretty soon but I’ll see how I feel – I’ll be ready to go.”

His success also impressed stablemate and world champion Carl Frampton, who was at ringside and tipped his friend to reach the very top of the boxing world.

The 29-year-old described Taylor as “a class act” and added: “I’ve made a lot of big statements about him and it is up to him to back it up. I see the talent everyday and other people don’t get a chance to see it.

“It is good for him, he is at the start of his professional career, seven fights in, and to see him on terrestrial television winning a title, people will continue to watch him.

“He is going to be a big star, I really believe that.

“Scotland is a bit like back home where there is a market there. Ricky Burns is a huge ticket seller and a huge name but he is coming to the end of his career.

“Josh Taylor can be the man to fill his boots and take over that. I think this kid is going to pack out arenas pretty soon.”

Taylor’s punching power proved simply too much for Ryan, who held the same title in 2014 before being forced onto the sidelines through a back injury.

Much of the talk ahead of the bout centred on whether Taylor’s lack of professional experience would cost him. The Prestonpans man had fought just nine rounds in six fights, compared to Ryan’s 181 rounds over 26 professional bouts.

Northern Irishman Frampton told Courier Sport: “I was very impressed with Josh. He didn’t look like someone who only had seven fights – he looked like a seasoned professional 30 fights into his career.

“His shot selection was good, his speed was good but I see it all the time and I’m expecting it.

“There is still a lot more to come, he is young, he trains hard, he is willing to learn and we are all surrounded by good people in the gym.

“Shane is a great coach and we train with George Groves, David Haye, myself and we all bounce off each other; it is a good environment to be in.

“It is a bit of a cliché and everyone says it that there are levels but he was a level above Dave Ryan tonight.”

Frampton was also full of praise for the vocal home support, who cheered Taylor on to victory.

The undefeated star added: “I always say that it adds a small percentage to your game and it is about small percentages, especially at the very top of boxing.

“That is where Josh Taylor is going to go.

“If he can get the vocal support behind him like tonight, it is going to continue and is going to get bigger and bigger.

“They are very, very vocal here in Scotland and when the Flower of Scotland is going around the arena that is the sort of thing that makes hairs stand up on the back of your neck. 

“I’m just glad for him – glad he got that win, I know how hard he trains and I cannot wait to see how his career develops.

“There is no doubt he is going to be a superstar.”

It was left to Taylor to have the final word when he told Courier Sport: “I’ll not be letting the belt out of my sight any time soon.

“I’ll have it round my waist or on my shoulder for days – in fact, I might even take it to bed with me!”