World boxing champ Josh Taylor proves he is a class act and vows to bring ring belts to his old school

Taylor, 30, took part in a series of online chats with kids from Preston Lodge High School in his hometown Prestonpans in East Lothian.

The WBA and IBF super-lightweight world title holder listened to their experiences of lockdown and also vowed to bring a signed glove and other gifts for one brave pupil undergoing chemotherapy in hospital.

Taylor, currently preparing for a unification bout with American WBO and WBC champion José Ramirez in Las Vegas next month, Tweeted clips from his conversations, adding: "Catching up with a few champions from my old school. It was class to speak with pupils from Preston Lodge and find out how they’ve been keeping, amazing to hear the resilience these kids have.

"I’m coming in with all the belts as soon as I can, bringing them home for Scotland."

Taylor showed his compassion for one boy chatting with him from a hospital bed where he has spent the last month. The boy told him: "I've already finished my first round of chemotherapy and my blood counts are coming back up a wee bit now so I just need to wait another week before I start my next round, and then I'll have another two after that -- it's really gone quite quick. Time's flying in here, it doesn't feel like a month."

The undefeated fighter, nicknamed The Tartan Tornado, raised a huge smile from the boy when he replied: "After the fight, if I'm allowed to, I'll come in and see you, and give you a signed glove, a T-shirt and things like that, I'll come in and see you. Would you like that?"

Taylor also chatted with one of the school's top girl footballers, and Millie, one of the school's "sports ambassadors" who coaches rugby on Sundays and introduces younger pupils to a range of sports and other activities.

He told her: "I heard you were doing well with school and getting the kids involved with sports and activities after school. I think physical activity for young kids is really important, so you're doing a good job."

Taylor, who is already ranked as one of Scotland's greatest ever boxers, also updated the kids on his own progress as he seeks to become Scotland's first undisputed world champ' since the legendary Ken Buchanan.

He added: "We're going well, we're buzzing in camp and we can't wait to get over there now and hit sunny Vegas, and bring back all the belts."

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