EAST Lothian boxing star Josh Taylor is on the verge of taking to the ring at the Commonwealth Games later this year after a stirring display last month to win at the 2014 Boxing Scotland finals.

The 23-year-old claimed the 64kg light welterweight title at the finals in Glasgow and is confident of returning to the city in July to represent Scotland at the Games.

With confirmation unlikely to come until next month, Taylor, from Prestonpans, will have to bide his time.

However, speaking to Courier Sport before heading to Portugal for a training camp, he was in an upbeat mood about the prospect of taking to the ring in front of thousands in the crowd, and even more watching on television.

Having won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Dehli as a 19-year-old in 2010 and represented Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012, he wants another taste of the experience.

“It’s not been announced yet but the win should have pretty much confirmed my place,” he explained.

“I have had enough international experience to go. The Olympics is the biggest stage going. To get a fight in front of 10,000 people is always going to put you in good stead.

“I have been at the Olympics and it was some experience. The Games are going to be every bit as big or bigger because they are in Scotland.

“It is only 50 miles along the road and most family and friends will be able to get tickets.” The Olympian overcame Greenock’s Sam Ball at the Emirates Arena on March 28 to propel himself closer to Commonwealth Games selection and he was able to showcase not only his talent but also his mettle, with his opponent having the backing of more than 200 people.

“It was a good fight,” Taylor said. “It was a hard physical contest but I was always confident of winning the bout.

“I didn’t think it was a split decision. I thought I had won unanimously. He was always coming forward but I was hitting with all the clear shots. He put up a good fight.” Taylor is currently in the middle of a 10-day training camp in Portugal before he heads to Australia next month as his preparations intensify, with his focus on claiming a gold medal at the Games.

“I start the really hard training when I get back from Portugal,” he explained. “I am going to Australia at the end of May. That’s going to be awesome. I will probably be getting a couple of fights organised out there so it should be a great camp.

“It is shaping up to be a great year.

“My intention is to come back [from the Games] with a medal. Hopefully it will be a nice shiny gold one this time!

“I don’t want to make any predictions but I am confident in my ability.

“I came back from Dehli with a silver. Now I have so much more experience.” While Taylor represents Lochend ABC, he is based in Sheffield, where he trains with the British squad three times a day, four days a week.

It is this “hard graft” which Taylor hopes will see him succeed at the Games before focus switches to representing Team GB at the Olympics in Brazil in 2016.

“I think I’d like to comepte in Rio de Janeiro,” he added. “But there are no guarantees. I will have to qualify.

“That’s the goal at the moment. I will hopefully be successful at the Games and then qualify for Rio as well.

“It is exciting times now. I need to get my head down, train hard and make sure I’m fit for the Games.”