Josh Taylor won the Commonwealth super lightweight title in just his seventh professional fight, stopping Dave Ryan in the fifth round at Meadowbank.
Roared on by a vociferous Edinburgh crowd, the 25-year-old from Prestonpans was impressively polished throughout.
The experienced Ryan, a former holder of this vacant belt, was floored by a left hook in the third round.
And the referee stepped in after a crunching body shot left the 33-year-old from Derby reeling.
Taylor, the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was sharp from the first bell and manager Barry McGuigan is already looking ahead to a potential showdown with Scotland’s WBA champion Ricky Burns.
“Burns has got to be the target if he remains the champion. I’m not being disrespectful. We’re not ready for it yet. He’s got work to do.
“I just think Josh makes progress so quickly. We’re going to put him in with guys that will test him and bring him into the later rounds.”
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