AFTER scrapping like Mike Tyson in Las Vegas, Josh Taylor’s subsequent night out in Sin City was almost as debauched as the one featuring the former heavyweight in The Hangover movie.

It was to the Scot’s evident relief when he woke in his hotel room the next day to discover his four world title belts – five if you include The Ring title – were still there. And that there was no tiger prowling the bathroom.

Few could begrudge him the opportunity to finally let his hair down. Taylor has toiled tirelessly at his craft, his commitment to working hard and the tactical know-how instilled in him by trainer Ben Davison combining to devastating effect.

To become undisputed world champion in just 18 bouts is remarkable given it took the legendary Floyd Mayweather the same amount of outings just to win one world title – never mind four.

Having made numerous sacrifices to reach the very peak of his game, it was little surprise that the Prestonpans man and his entourage celebrated hard once the work tools had been packed away for the time being.

“The celebrations were brilliant,” said Taylor, still somewhat bleary-eyed. “It was a bit of a heavy night, one of those ones you think you might wake up with a tiger in your room!

“Thankfully the belts were still there though. The boys in the team have been superb out here for weeks and we just had a laugh in the hotel bar afterwards.

“There were the usual winds-ups but everyone was in great spirits. On Sunday we got a bit of sun and went to a pool party. We’ve got to enjoy the real Vegas experience before we go home.

“We all put in the hard graft out here for four weeks. We had some downtime along the way but it’s been serious work.

“But it was all worth it and it was amazing to be able to celebrate. It will be magic to celebrate back home with my family and friends.

“I can’t wait to see them as it’s been tough not having them out here with me. We’ve still made the most of it mind you!

“My phone has gone completely daft. I keep trying to look at the messages but I can’t even make a dent in it. The phone has totally melted.”

It may take some time for Taylor’s achievements to be properly appreciated, perhaps not even until the 30 year-old finally decides to call it a day and hangs up the gloves.

His good friend the actor Martin Compston reckons Saturday’s win over Jose Ramirez places the southpaw alongside Andy Murray and Chris Hoy in Scotland’s pantheon of sporting greats and deserving of a knighthood.

It is hard to visualise Taylor down on one knee in front of the Queen but stranger things have happened.

“That would be mental! Could you imagine it, Sir Josh Taylor?” he laughed. “Would I make the boys in my local call me Sir ? Absolutely, 100 percent!

“To be honest I’ve never even thought about that kind of thing and it’s funny Martin suggested it.

“But I’ve seen people say this is up there with the greatest Scottish sporting achievements. And I guess it is.

“This kind of thing doesn’t happen too often. The last one was Ken Buchanan, and that was 50 years ago. 

“I don’t know who you’d compare it to other sports but it’s not very often you get a Scotsman becoming the best in the world.

“It’s some feeling. I’m not surprised because this is what I’ve been working for all my life. It’s ridiculous to be undisputed in 18 fights. I don’t think it’s ever been done before.

“Floyd Mayweather is one of the greats but he won his first world title in his 18th fight – I’ve cleaned up the division in that time. It’s crazy. I get emotional even thinking about it.”

Taylor will take some time off when he gets home before plotting his next move, whether a defence at super-lightweight or a move up to welterweight.

A keen football fan, he’d love the chance first of all to step out at the national stadium in front of 12000 spectators before Scotland’s home Euro 2020 matches.

“It would be amazing to show off the belts at Hampden,” he admitted. “It would be some feeling to do it in front of the fans at one of the games.

“The only slight downside about the weekend was the fans not being able to travel to Las Vegas.

“Can you imagine what it would have been like if they were here? It would have been incredible and the party would still be going on.

“It was an amazing experience anyway but that would have made it even better.

“But maybe walking out at Hampden in front of 12,000 would make up for that a little bit. I always think back to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

“I’ve said before that was probably my best experience in boxing, even up there with winning world titles.

“Becoming undisputed might pip it now, but it was just that buzz of the crowd in the Hydro, all singing Flower of Scotland and so on.

“I would have loved to have had thousands belting it out in Vegas but maybe we could do it at Hampden instead. I just hope I’ve done the country proud.”