County boxing star Josh Taylor has turned professional, and will begin the latest chapter in his career in America this weekend.

Taylor, from Prestonpans, who will be managed by boxing legend Barry McGuigan and promoted by the London-based company, Cyclone Promotions, will make his professional debut in the Don Haskins Centre in El Paso, Texas, tomorrow (Saturday).

The 24-year-old (pictured), who took gold at last summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, will be coached by the renowned Shane McGuigan and will train at the McGuigan Gym in Battersea, London.

Light-welterweight prospect Taylor joins an esteemed stable at Cyclone Promotions, including IBF World Super Bantamweight champion Carl Frampton, and it’s on the undercard of Frampton’s fight with Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. that Taylor will make his bow.

Taylor said: “I am delighted to have signed professional contracts with Barry McGuigan and Cyclone Promotions.

“I feel I have achieved a great deal in the amateur ranks, the highlight being my gold medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“I have always wanted to be a professional world champion and I know that with this team behind me I can go onto achieve that goal.

“I am so excited to get my professional career up and running.” Barry McGuigan said: “Josh is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the British amateur scene in a number of years and I believe that with the right guidance he can go on to become a world champion and reignite Scottish professional boxing.” And Shane McGuigan added: “I believe Josh Taylor can go on to become a professional world champion. Josh was an exceptional amateur talent who has all the attributes needed to become champion of the world. I am very excited about Josh’s future.”