PRESTONPANS is to toast Josh Taylor’s boxing success with the world champion to enjoy an open-top bus victory parade through the town next weekend.
Covid-19 restrictions have made it difficult to organise official public celebrations for Josh following his Las Vegas win on May 22 where he became undisputed super lightweight champion of the world – however a large crowd did turn out on Prestonpans High Street to give the champ an impromptu welcome home on his return to the UK.
However, it has now been confirmed that there will be an afternoon of celebrations, involving the boxer and his family, next Sunday (June 27). Permission has been granted by East Lothian Council and other partnering agencies to hold an official welcome home parade for the boxer after weeks of talks with Prestonpans Gala Committee.
Hundreds of people are expected to turn out to see the hometown hero tour the streets of Prestonpans in a white open-top bus, supplied by Lothian Buses.
The bus will set off from Preston Road at noon next Sunday and travel along Preston Road, Schaw Road, Appin Drive, High Street, Redburn Road, South Grange Avenue and West Loan.
The two-hour parade will allow Josh to soak in the adulation of the town, while showcasing his world title belts to his fans.
Josh, who secured his place in sporting history with victory over Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas, is the first British boxer to hold the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO titles simultaneously since the four-belt era began in 2004. Homes and businesses on the route will receive leaflets about the parade through their letterboxes this weekend.
Residents are being encouraged to support Josh but strict rules have been implemented, meaning residents must adhere to Covid-19 regulations, social distancing measures and stand one metre apart from each other during the parade.
The gala committee is dedicated to making the celebration as accessible for residents as possible.
Graeme Hutchison, gala secretary, said that the committee was excited to celebrate Josh’s success.
He said: “We are absolutely away with it with excitement but we are still waiting on some final details from the council.”
The committee has gone to great lengths to honour the sporting star, even submitting a 19-page declaration to East Lothian Council in preparation for the parade.
They were left disappointed, though, after plans for an autograph session and photoshoot with Josh were turned down.
The committee has reminded supporters that social distancing will remain in place next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Josh has been reunited with his world title belts.
The 30-year-old, who floored Ramirez twice en route to a unanimous points victory, was separated from his world title belts after a mix-up with United Airlines during his transit home on May 25, with him only having his The Ring belt on his initial return to Scotland.
However, he has since been reunited with his WBA, IBF and WBO belts, and the last remaining belt, the WBC, has now arrived too.
In a video posted to Twitter this week, Josh shared his delight, saying: “I’ve arrived home to a nice wee special delivery from the WBC, my green strap, my collection is now complete.
“Look at that, a thing of beauty.”
He later shared a video of all his belts on display at his home in Haddington.
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