Josh Taylor awarded Freedom of East Lothian

Councillors voted to make Josh an Honorary Freeman of the county at an East Lothian Council meeting on 22 June 2021. The honour recognises his significant sporting achievements in the world of boxing. Due to Covid-19 and Josh's considerable training and competition commitments, the formal presentation was postponed.

East Lothian Provost Councillor John McMillan presented Josh with a framed 'Freedom of East Lothian' certificate in front of invited guests at an intimate event in Haddington.

Undisputed light-welterweigh world champion

Josh Taylor was born and brought up in Prestonpans where he attended St Gabriel's RC Primary School followed by Preston Lodge High School. A professional boxer competing in the light-welterweight division, Josh rose through the ranks of his sport securing a wide range of titles, a silver medal at the Olympic Games in London 2012 and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, all while still an amateur.

He turned professional in 2015 and, in May 2021, became the first British fighter to become an undisputed light-welterweight world champion in the 'four belt era' by simultaneously holding world titles from all four bodies: World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organisation and the International Boxing Federation. Josh is the fifth man in the world to achieve this status.

'Considerable achievements'

East Lothian Provost Councillor John McMillan said: "I am pleased to present the Freedom of East Lothian to Josh Taylor this evening. His boxing achievements are considerable from his early days starting out in the sport and receiving support from the East Lothian Sports Award Fund to rising to become undisputed light-welterweight world champion in 2021.

"The Freedom of East Lothian is awarded to 'people of distinction or to those who have rendered eminent service in their area'. When Josh was growing up there will have been no shortage of people around him who also dreamed of sporting greatness, but we know there is a difference between dreaming and making it happen. Natural talent plays a huge part, of course, but the importance of qualities such as discipline, perseverance and resilience cannot be overstated. Consistency in training and taking the knock backs (literally in the world of boxing), learning from them, and turning them to your advantage is vital and a great example both within and outwith the ring.

"I'm sure Josh would also be the first to point out the importance of good support around him - his family, coaches, training team and, of course his partner Danielle.

"Josh has undoubtedly achieved great and historic things in his sporting career and has so much more ahead of him. We are proud to recognise that by presenting him with the Freedom of East Lothian."