KEN BUCHANAN remains Edinburgh's most famous boxing son nearly half a century after he was crowned undisputed lightweight champion of the world.
Buchanan did it the hard way, travelling to Puerto Rico in 1970 to defeat the reigning champion, Ismael Laguna, the WBA title-holder, before then out-classing Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles to acquire the vacant WBC crown.
Laguna was beaten a second time in September 1971 at Madison Square Garden to cement Buchanan's status as the best in the weight division.
It was only when he met Panamanian Roberto Duran at the same New York venue the following June in the fourth of his world championship bouts that the stylish Scot was undone.
Duran, the self-styled Hands of Stone, prevailed by dint of a low blow after the bell at the end of the 13th round, albeit he was leading on all three judges' scorecards when he delivered the illegal punch.
Significantly, Duran carefully avoided a rematch, an indication, perhaps, of the threat he perceived Buchanan posed.
Regrettably, the capital has so far failed to unearth another boxer to compare with the man widely regarded as the finest exponent of the Noble Art to come out of Scotland.
But the wait may soon be over, according to the man himself, in the form of Commonwealth Games gold medallist Josh Taylor.
Taylor returns to the ring at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Friday evening to defend his Commonwealth super-lightweight crown against South African Warren Joubert boasting a perfect eight-fight pro record.
But Buchanan, still remarkably fit at the age of 71, believes that is only the tip of the iceberg for 26-year-old Taylor.
"I think Josh is going to be Scotland's next world champion," said Buchanan yesterday. "He's certainly the best I've seen since I was a world champion and Edinburgh has had a couple of good ones in the intervening years.
"Alex Arthur, in particular, did well to become world super-featherweight champion, but I believe Josh will go to the very top.
"He's got the whole package: the punches, the movement and the dedication, the way he behaves and looks after himself.
"Josh reminds me of myself in many ways, his physique and the way he moves in the ring. He breathes well and boxes at the same time.
"He just needs a bit more experience and fights at Commonwealth level will give him that and also instil confidence.
"It's up to him. He is the one who has to prove that he has the mindset to succeed, but I don't doubt for a moment that he has.
"When a boxer leaves the gym he's on his own and sometimes they are tempted to head for a pint or chase the girls and then end up failing to produce what they are capable of.
"They have the potential but lack the necessary dedication. But Josh isn't like that, he is 100 per cent focussed on boxing.
"The fact that he is managed by Barry McGuigan also helps. Barry has been at the top level of boxing for a long time and knows the game inside-out."
Buchanan has got to know Taylor well on regular visits to the gym at Terry McCormack's Lochend Boxing Club in the capital.
"I've done a bit of work with Josh, mainly talking to him, in an effort to pass on my knowledge of the fight game and what is involved in becoming a champion," he added.
"Edinburgh desperately needs one and there are a few up-and-coming prospects I've looked at recently and there is a chance they could go higher. Josh's success will rub off on them and spread the feel-good factor."
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