SO efficient has Josh Taylor been in his six fights to date that he has contested just nine rounds as a professional boxer. This Friday, at the Meadowbank Arena in his native Edinburgh, he hopes to acquire a belt to put them under. Two years on from winning gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the pride of Prestonpans has his eyes on the vacant Commonwealth super lightweight title.

The 25-year-old, nicknamed the Tartan Tornado, is a young man in a hurry alright. Too much of a hurry, according to his opponent Dave 'Rocky' Ryan and his exuberant trainer Clifton Mitchell. This proud 33-year-old from Derby has nine years as a professional behind him and this belt used to be his property. Round about the same time Taylor was competing in Glasgow 2014, Taylor had Tyrone Nurse, now the British champion at this weight class, on the canvas twice before the first two rounds were up en route to a close points win.

He then added the WBC international title to his collection with a ninth round stoppage of John Wayne Hibbert before a contentious defeat to the same man saw him wash up in Scotland attempting to win back what used to be his.

"It [Taylor's progression] is way too fast," said Ryan. "I don’t know how many rounds he’s done but out of the six fights he’s had, but they’re all single figure rounds. I believe he’s going too fast, it’s too much of a big step for him. I believe I’m at my peak now. A lot of people say, ‘you’re too old’. No way, I’m at my peak and the training is the best I’ve ever done. I feel strong and fit.

"The last fight [the re-match against Hibbert] was classed as KO but it was due to a kidney punch in the back, which the ref didn’t even see. I was trying to tell him as I was fighting. What can you do? You’ve been punched in the kidney and it’s giving you muscle spasms, I couldn’t even lift my right arm up properly. I believe there isn’t anyone out there that can stop me."

Taylor's promoter Barry McGuigan reckons Ryan is the one who doesn't know what he is letting himself in for. The passionate home support is another factor, but Ryan is a veteran fighter who doesn't give the impression of a man unsure of himself. He has 17 wins from his 26 fights.

"Why would it faze me?" he said. "The majority of the time I’m the away fighter and I like fighting away. There’s no pressure on me here, all the pressure is on Josh and I believe he is going to buckle towards the end of the fight and I’m going to take over.

"My best win to date is definitely Tyrone Nurse. I think he is the most talented fighter in our weight division - by far. But with regards to digging deep, I don’t believe he’s the best at that. I came out with a victory against him but look at him now, he’s the British champion and has defended it a few times. I’ve called him out a couple of times since the fight but he doesn’t want any more now he’s got the belt."

If Ryan has spent his lifetime battling away against the odds and not quite making the big time, perhaps that is fitting for a Derby County supporter. The 33-year-old plays a bit of football, and golf, in his spare time, and is gym buddies with a couple of local motor bike racers.

"I’m a big Derby County fan," he said. "We’ve not had the best of starts but there’s still plenty of time. I only get to a handful of matches because I’ve got three kids, who take up most of my time. They’re three girls so they're not that much into football.

"I like to play a bit of goal in my spare time as well. I’ve only just started this year and I’ve got the golf bug. I seem to have picked up pretty quickly. I train with a couple of super bike racers and they play golf all the time.

"There is one lad who is racing the Moto2, Sam Lowes, while his twin brother Alex is racing in world super bikes. They’re pretty high up. I like to go over and watch them. They’re trying to be world champions and I’m trying to be the best I can be. We bounce off each other in the gym and we’re competitive."

As you might imagine, Taylor is having none of all this. "I am glad he and his manager thinks that it is too soon for me," said Taylor. "Because he is going to get a surprise, a big surprise. He is going to be surprised by how fast and talented I am. Two years ago I fought for the Commonwealth gold in Glasgow in front of 10,000 people. Two years on, I am boxing in my home arena, in front of up to 4,000 people. It will be my first title as a professional and I don't need any more motivation than that right there. The title is definitely coming back to Edinburgh, that is for sure."