JOSH Taylor accepts that his memories of the Hydro from winning Commonwealth gold at Glasgow 2014 will take some beating. But he is prepared to give it his best shot. Almost an entire Commonwealth cycle will have elapsed by the time the 27-year-old from Prestonpans fights at that famous Finnieston venue for the first time since that fateful day in August 2014 when he survived a torrid final round against Namibia’s Junias Jonas to triumph in the men’s light welterweight category, shedding a tear as an impromptu chorus of Flower of Scotland swept around the venue. It will be emotional too as he returns there as a professional for the first time on March 3, with an unbeaten 11-fight record and a WBC Silver belt to defend against a seasoned, durable Mexican opponent in the form of Humberto Soto, a former three-weight world champion who has entered the ring no fewer than 76 times in his career. But Taylor hopes it is a sign of things to come. With another convincing win under his belt, his name may yet be back up in lights at this venue later in the year with a world title on the line.

“It’s going to be brilliant headlining at the Hydro,” said Taylor. “ This will be my first time back since the Commonwealth Games and it will be special walking in to the changing rooms. It will bring the memories flooding back.

“A lot has happened since then but the Games still feel like yesterday,” he added. “It will be difficult to beat that experience of winning gold in Glasgow and singing Flower of Scotland in front of my country. But that’s the aim.

“And hopefully it’s the sign of things to come because it would be great to be back there later in the year winning or defending a world title.”

Considering he was still taking on the likes of Dave Ryan and Warren Joubert in mid-size shows at Meadowbank 12 months ago, Taylor is entitled to feel he has come rather a long way in a short time. If Ricky Burns didn’t always fill this venue, Taylor has help from many of his former Scotland amateur pals, including his fellow former Glasgow 2014 heroes Charlie Flynn and Joe Ham, and stablemates Jason Easton and Lee McGregor.

“It’s been a massive step going from Meadowbank to the Hydro in a year, but I know I’ve got a long way to go before filling it,” he said. “I’m going in the right direction though. I’m glad to be bringing the big shows to Scotland, along with Ricky Burns. It’s good for the boxers and the fans to have big nights here. But these guys are my pals. Anyone can achieve world titles if they dedicate themselves to it.”

The images imprinted upon Taylor’s consciousness of that fateful night in August 2014 didn’t end when he left the medal ceremony. “It was a great night,” he recalled. “After the fight I remember doing all the doping tests and stuff then going back to the house at the athletes’ village to celebrate. We got some pizza with the lads and were singing, it was a carry on.

“The next day Charlie and me did the press stuff and then we went to the bar in the village,” he added. “Clanadonia [a ceilidh rock band] were playing and I was up playing the drums. I had two or three beers and was steaming drunk! I enjoyed the closing ceremony, it was a great experience.”

Various plausible opponents were suggested after Taylor became the first man to stop Soto’s countryman Miguel Vasquez at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston back in November but manager Barry McGuigan and Cyclone Promotions have alighted at another Mexican. Soto may be all of 37 years old but he has held world titles at three different weight classes - one of them interim - and has only been knocked out once in 76 professional bouts, against the big hitting Lucas Matthysse. Considering Taylor has only once ever had to go the distance, getting in that experience ahead of a potential world title shot later in the year might not be the worst outcome.

“He’ll be completely different from Vasquez,” said Taylor during a respectful pre-fight press conference. “He’ll bring the fight to me where as with Vasquez I had to go looking for him and made a few mistakes. He was awkward and hit me with some silly shots like that mad uppercut that was so hard to read.

“Soto is a more complete fighter and I’ll need to meet him in the middle of the ring,” he added. “Everyone said Vasquez would go the distance but I got him out and if I can do the same it would be another massive statement that I mean business this year. It would show this is the year for me to be world champion. I’ll see what opportunities are out there, whether it’s the European or the world title. There’s a lot on my shoulders but I don’t feel the pressure. People might say I’m going to be world champion, but that wouldn’t surprise me because that’s what I expect of myself.”