EDINBURGH is not short of a statue or two to the great and the good, but Barry McGuigan, the former world featherweight champion who manages the fortunes of emerging star Josh Taylor, insists that space should be found to accommodate one more in the capital.

Consequently, the Clones Cyclone is backing moves by a group of lightweight legend Ken Buchanan's closest friends and associates to have a tribute in stone erected to the achievements of Edinburgh's most famous boxing son.

Speaking ahead of Taylor's Commonwealth super-lightweight title defence against South African Warren Joubert at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Friday evening, the Irishman said: "I am for it, 100 per cent. I have been speaking with Ken's close friend Owen Smith and I have told him I will help in any way I can because Ken was an inspiration to me and generations of Scottish fighters and deserves to be honoured in this way.

"He is probably the only Scottish fighter who is very famous in America. Whether that was fortuitous or serendipity or whatever does not matter.

"The fact is he went to Puerto Rico and beat Ismael Laguna to become WBA world champion and then did the same to Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles to also take the WBC title.

"He became a big name in America following several appearances at Madison Square Garden and everybody talked about him with his blond good looks and tartan shorts.

"Ken did it the hard way by going on the road. He was a trend setter, a pioneer, if you like.

"He was ostensibly a tall, upright boxer but he could also fight in the inside because he was really clever and a beautiful mover.

"He was a real talent and had he been around at the present time and had a promoter behind him giving him the exposure he deserved and the chance to fight at home, he would have been a world champion for substantially longer.

"But he remains a massive name. I recall a couple of years ago travelling to the States for a press conference and being asked by the immigration official if we knew Ken Buchanan and whatever happened to him.

"We were bowled over by that. It was proof that Ken really made his mark so it's only right that they should build a statue to him when you consider what he achieved as the undisputed champion of the world."

McGuigan first encountered Buchanan when the Tartan Legend was in the twilight of his career but he recalled: "I swear to God that I learned more in two weeks sparring with Ken than I had done in my entire career up to them.

"My manager, Barney Eastwood brought him over and I remember having to expend so much energy because he was still a box of tricks. It was brilliant, such an education - and a painful one at that!"

"I could not understand a word he said as it was 'ken this and ken that' and when I asked him if he was referring to himself he just laughed.

"But I came on leaps and bounds and he was undoubtedly one of the biggest influences on me as a professional; a great guy and a very talented and brave fighter.

"If Josh achieves half as much that will be something. Like Ken, we are giving him exposure in America and they are excited about him, but ultimately it all starts in front of your home support.

"That's the difference, we are getting Josh the fights at home and people are getting behind him in a way that was denied Ken."