PRESTONPANS boxer Josh Taylor “can’t wait” to return to the ring at the Meadowbank Arena next month.

The 26-year-old will defend his Commonwealth Super Lightweight title for the first time as he takes on South African Warren Joubert in Edinburgh.

Taylor said he was “buzzing” for the fight, and added: “I can’t wait to defend my title in front of my home fans.

“The last time was absolutely amazing – I’ve boxed in front of 10,000 people at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, but that was up there with my best experiences in boxing.

“The place was jumping and it was amazing – I still watch it back in the house.

“If it’s anything like the last time it’s going to be amazing and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The county ace, dubbed the Tartan Tornado, is relishing the chance to box in front of his family and friends, with many expected to make the short trip from the county on March 24.

After recently returning from Las Vegas, where he beat Alfonso Olvera, Taylor said: “Las Vegas has got nothing on Meadowbank.

“It was amazing being at the Mecca of boxing and having that opportunity on such a big stage.

“I might never be there again, so I soaked it all in.”

He admitted to feeling pre-fight nerves before facing Englishman Dave ‘Rocky’ Ryan at Meadowbank last October, and Taylor is hoping to control his emotions in the build-up to facing Joubert.

“I felt really nervous before the last fight [at Meadowbank] but I wasn’t really that nervous in Vegas and I think that’s why I didn’t box as well as I could have,” he said.

Taylor beat Olvera on points at the MGM Grand, while Ryan lasted five rounds in their Commonwealth title fight – Taylor stopped every one of his first six opponents within two rounds. But he insists that he’s “not bothered” about winning by knockout.

“I probably had 150 amateur fights and I stopped about half of them, and probably only one or two in the last year,” he said.

“I’m really not bothered at all, as long as I’m boxing well and hitting them with the right shots.

“If it comes, it comes – if I see I’ve got someone hurt I’ll make sure I get them out of there – but I never look for that one shot because that’s when my performance dips.”

And Taylor is full of confidence ahead of his return to the ring.

“In the warm-up [to Olvera] I had a bit of doubt in my head but when I got going I just had to adapt because the way I wanted to fight wasn’t quite working,” he said.

“It was good to get that peace of mind to know I can adapt.”

Tickets are now on sale for Taylor's fight with Joubert and can be bought by contacting Taylor, through Cyclone Promotions or at Ticketmaster.