HALL of Fame boxer Barry McGuigan hailed Josh Taylor’s stoppage of Miguel Vazquez as “spectacular”.

The Northern Irishman is Taylor’s manager and was thrilled after the Prestonpans star became the first fighter to stop Vazquez in his 45-fight career.

At the post-fight press conference at the Royal Highland Centre, McGuigan said: “It was a world-class performance against a guy who’s never been stopped.

“He’s fought some of the best in the world yet this kid, in his 11th fight, took him out, so it’s pretty spectacular.

“We’re left with a problem – where do we go from here? It’s a nice problem to be in.”

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The 54-year-old was pleased to see Taylor “win rough” against the Mexican, adding: “Vazquez won a couple of rounds but when you look at that style, it is impossible to look good against him.”

When pressed about Taylor’s immediate future, McGuigan said: “Anthony Yigit [European champion] is a fight that we could look at or we could take another top 10 in the world guy from America or we could say to the WBC ‘can we fight for your title?’.

“I’m not sure I want to do that yet.”

However, the Cyclone Promotions founder admitted a shot at the British title was unlikely.

“Looking at the domestic scene, he is far better than anyone in this country,” he said, while adding: “I know Terry Flanagan is the lightweight champion and he’s number one but he [Taylor] beats Terry Flanagan and he’d beat Jack Catterall or any of the other guys.

“Therein lies my difficulty – where do we take him next?”

Taylor will now enjoy some time off with his family, but McGuigan hopes he will return to the ring in February.

A vocal 4,000 crowd packed into the Royal Highland Centre to cheer on Taylor and the other home boxers, including Haddington’s Iain Trotter, and McGuigan hailed a “fabulous show” as he admitted he’d “love” another return to the venue. 

However, he reiterated his stance that he hopes to take Taylor around Scotland, but said: “He’s adamant he wants to come back to Edinburgh and he’s pretty forceful about that.

“I’d love to give him his dream of a world title fight at Edinburgh Castle but that’s going to cost lots of money!”

Vazquez had contested more than 300 rounds and had never been stopped in 44 contests before he was blown away with a stunning stoppage in the ninth round. Taylor, a gold medallist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, had impressed in his 10 previous fights but was taking a significant step up in class against the former IBF World Lightweight champion, a man he acknowledged in the build-up was “a serious fighter”.

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However, two ferocious right-hand body shots felled the Mexican with 47 seconds remaining of the ninth round. 

Indeed, that Vazquez fell to a knee as the ninth round neared its conclusion was something of a statement from Taylor.

Vazquez was unable to continue as Taylor produced another stunning performance to retain his title and maintain his unbeaten professional record.

After celebrating with his trainer Shane McGuigan and manager Barry, the pair shared an embrace in the ring during which Taylor invited his beaten opponent for a drink.

Taylor had never been beyond eight rounds in his professional career but the fight was not to last much longer.

Both men had given it their all, with Taylor shading the contest, despite suffering a cut above his left eye.