I WANTED TO HUG THE PEOPLE OF MY TOWN
Homecoming ‘bittersweet’ for proud local hero Taylor
IN due course, Josh Taylor’s celebrity status may see him tripping the light fantastic in front of a live studio audience at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
For the moment, he’d settle for being allowed to dance in the streets of Prestonpans.
The newly-crowned undisputed light-welterweight champion of the world, the first Brit to unify any weight division in the four-belt era, admits to feeling conflicted emotions about his homecoming to the East Lothian town earlier this week.
Barred by quarantine rules from joining in the celebrations, Taylor says he worries he ‘let people down’ by restricting his involvement in a massive street party.
Deep down, he knows how ridiculous that sounds. Scour the ’Pans for a year or more and you’d struggle to find a single soul even slightly put out by his enforced restraint on the big day.
Yet, recalling the scenes, Taylor said: ‘It’s a bittersweet feeling because I saw all these people I’d known all my life.
‘They lined the street for me. Outside the local pub, they’d gone right along the street.
‘There were folk hanging out the windows, banging on drums and things. Right along the street. Hundreds of people turned out.
‘I wanted nothing more than to get out and embrace them — because I love my town, I love the people who turned out for me.
‘I felt as if I was being ignorant or something. Like they might think I was being arrogant or ignorant.
‘All the kids were there wanting photos. I hung out the window of the car and took a couple of photos, shook a few hands.
‘But I felt like I kind of let them down. My dad said they’d been waiting for a couple of hours because the plane was a little bit late and I had to do interviews when I landed at the airport.
‘So I felt like I let a lot of people down. I was a little bit frustrated about that when I came home. It really stinks that I’ve had to come home and do this for the next couple of days. It’s really, really frustrating.
‘I know I haven’t really let anyone down — but I feel it just the same, because I couldn’t embrace them. I wanted to give them what they deserve so I feel a little bit angry about that.’
Taylor’s triumph over Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas last weekend, the southpaw completing his clean sweep of the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts just as dawn was breaking back home, has already gone down in history as one of the great Scottish sporting achievements of all time.
He certainly celebrated the win in Vegas before flying home in some style, with a private jet laid on for the last leg of his journey.
As nice as it was to be sipping champagne with his Team Taylor travelling party on that flight up from London to Edinburgh, nothing could compare to the emotion of arriving back in Prestonpans.
‘Driving back home, the streets were filled with familiar faces, friends, family and so many people I’ve known for so long,’ he said.
‘There were a lot of kids there as well, all cheering me on, singing and dancing, making a big scene of it. It was really special.
‘But I wanted nothing more than to just get out of the car and embrace them, join them in celebrations, go into the pub with them all and have a big party. I wanted to thank them all for their support.
‘Instead, I had to stay in the car, wave and take a couple of quick selfies. I gave my dad a quick hug and lifted his hand up. Then I had to come away and come down the road, come home — and just sit here.
‘I’ve been sat here for the last two or three days now. This should be the biggest and best party I’ve ever had in my life — and I’ve still not had a chance to properly see my mum and dad, my little sister.
‘I’ve not been able to sit down and talk to them properly, face to face, because I’m stuck in the house.
‘I’m stuck here with Danielle (his fiancée), who is ready to strangle
me already! In some ways, it’s even harder than being in camp. It’s harder for her, anyway. I’m doing her head in already.’
Taylor regularly mentions the example he can set to kids in a town that, like many former mining and fishing areas, isn’t without its deprived areas.
‘For me, there’s not a lot of opportunity for kids back home in Prestonpans, although it’s a bit better now,’ he said.
‘But I want to inspire the kids. I’ve not got enough time for them so I’d like to make more time for them and see them more and speak to them.
‘I’d like to kick back with them for 20 minutes or half an hour and even just see how they’re getting on.
‘I can try and guide them, although I can’t say “do this and do that” — but try to have a positive mind and a positive impact on them.’
Taylor’s profile has certainly been raised by his most recent achievement, despite the main broadcasters blacking out his fight.
Already a well-known face in Scotland, he’s now becoming famous across the UK.
Surely it’s only a matter of time before Strictly Come Dancing or I’m A Celebrity come calling?
Laughing at the thought, he revealed: ‘The one I think I’d deal with is The Cube. I’d be able to do that one.
‘I’m not keen on the crawlies and chewing on bull testicles and stuff.
‘So probably Strictly. I’m not that great on the dance floor either, though!’