“IT IS MY TIME to shine,” insists Prestonpans boxing star Josh Taylor as he prepares to face former three-weight world champion Humberto Soto.

The Prestonpans star will put his WBC Silver Super Lightweight crown on the line when he takes on Mexican veteran Soto at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow, on March 3.

Soto is a former WBC Super Featherweight and WBC Lightweight champion, and also held the WBC Interim Featherweight title from 2005 to 2006, but has not fought since 2016.

At a press conference in Glasgow last week, Taylor, dubbed the Tartan Tornado, admitted he was full of respect for the 37-year-old’s achievements.

He said: “He is a former world champion and he’s been in there with some of the very best. It will be a tough fight and another step up for me.

“I have got massive respect for him and he has been a great champion, but his time has been and it’s my time now.

“It is my time to shine and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Former Preston Lodge High School pupil Taylor is looking forward to an “all-action” fight with Soto – his second consecutive Mexican opponent after defeating another former world champion, Miguel Vazquez, last time out.

“It is going to be a hard fight and I always prepare for 12 rounds,” he said.

“He has got a massive heart and I know he’s a very tough fighter.

“It has got all the makings for a great fight – I think it’s going to be all-action.”

Taylor’s manager Barry McGuigan, himself a former world champion, acknowledged taking the fight represented a risk but added: “Josh is one of the most exciting talents in world boxing.

“Soto is a great fighter and he will be a tremendous opponent.

“He’s had 78 professional fights and he’s a guy who is not worn out.

“He is fresh and he’s dangerous.

“It is a gamble but every fight is at this stage in Josh’s career. He’s in terrific condition and it’s a sign of the faith we have in him that he’s fighting this guy at this stage in his career.”

Soto, meanwhile, said he was coming to Glasgow to start “a new adventure” in his career.

Speaking through a translator, he said: “I think I am a privileged fighter – there are millions of fighters but very few are chosen to be world champions.

“My dedication and discipline lead me to win big titles and I will take this fight seriously.

“There is always motivation when you are going for a championship.

“I was someone everyone wanted to beat beforehand – I’ve already achieved that so now we’re looking forward to a new adventure.”

Meanwhile, Taylor hopes victory puts him on the path to a world title fight, which he hopes will come some time this year.

“Maybe after this we can look at a world title eliminator, or even maybe a world title fight,” he told Courier Sport.

Taylor is joined on the bill by Haddington’s Iain Trotter, who will contest a bout for the Scottish Middleweight title against Marc Kerr.

The former Knox Academy pupil is “very excited and proud” to be part of the show, but acknowledged the title fight would be a “big step up”, coming in just his seventh professional bout. But he confidently added: “I can’t wait to get my hands on that belt.”

Tickets for the event 'Scotland's Finest' are now on sale through Ticketmaster.