The contrast could not have been starker. Josh Taylor climbed onto the bottom rung of the ring ropes to salute his chanting fans who were chanting: “Easy, easy, easy.”
Vanquished Miguel Vazquez sat on a stool at the side of the 22-foot ring surrounded by para-medics and with an oxygen mask strapped to his face.
The former world champion had just been stopped for the first time in his 45-fight career, and the Mexican has been in with the best. Thankfully, after a few minutes, Vazquez was able to stand up and hug his opponent, a mark of respect.
Both men must now consider what lies ahead. Vazquez is starring into a wilderness and had a lot to ponder on the long flight back to Guadalajara.
The former IBF lightweight champion, who was on top of his world for around four years, may regret having taken on Taylor.
The Scot, nicknamed the Tartan Tornado, took nine rounds at a packed Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston to dispose of his 30-year-old opponent. The fans may have chanted easy, but Taylor conceded that it wasn’t.
Vazquez was awkward and knows his way around but a switch of tactics, forget the head and concentrate on the body, paved the way for the knockout.
Taylor remains on course for his world dominance dream and would love to have a crack at the title at the iconic venue of Edinburgh Castle in the summer just before the Edinburgh International Festival.
The talented 26-year-old has now extended his winning run to 11 fights and the former amateur star is taking a few weeks off.
His management team led by former world champion, Barry McGuigan, at London-based Cyclone are now deep in thought.
They eye a crack at the European title and success would add to Taylor’s haul which incudes the WBC silver super lightweight title which remains in Prestonpans.
Taylor, at the post-match press briefing, described Vazquez as very dangerous and a really tough opponent. Rivals will undoubtedly get tougher but Taylor has made a signifant move up the world rankings with this win and just loves the big time, the lights, the TV and the glamour. He is aiming high.
He wants a world title shot and the East Lothian puncher appreciates his fast-rising following, but this is a local hero who thinks local and he dedicated Saturday’s win to a five-year-old who is not in the best of health.
He also appreciates that hard-working locals people dig deep into their wallets to come to his fights and he said: “The crowds are getting bigger and bigger and the atmosphere at my fights is always brilliant. I’m enjoying this, I love what I do and I appreciate everybody coming out to support me.
“I hope I reward them by winning fights and I hope to continue bringing big fights to Edinburgh.”
With that, and a few more one-to-one interviews, Taylor slipped away for a drug test.
Earlier, fans queued to have selfies taken with the boxer who is undoubtedly putting Prestonpans – a town known world-wide for a key battle – on the global sporting map.
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