Josh Taylor to meet Humberto Soto in Glasgow

Taylor is preparing for his 12th professional fight against an experienced opponent

Josh Taylor says he hopes to become a boxing world champion "by the end of the year".

The 27-year-old from Prestonpans will defend his WBC Silver super-lightweight title against Mexican veteran Humberto Soto in Glasgow on 3 March.

But he told BBC Scotland his target for 2018 is a world title.

"I believe in my own ability and I can go on and become world champion and that ultimately is my goal," Taylor said.

"I'll be pushing on and hopefully challenging for a world title if not be world champion by the end of the year."

Mexican Humberto Soto, left, won the WBO-NABO light welterweight title against John Molina Jr in September 2014

First, the Commonwealth gold medallist must overcome 37-year-old Soto, a former two-weight world champion.

The Mexican held the WBC super-featherweight title from 2008 to 2009, and the WBC lightweight title from 2010 to 2011, but has not been in the ring since 2016.

"Humberto Soto is a top fighter and a very tough fighter," said Taylor, who returns to the SSE Hydro for the bout, scene of his 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal win.

"If I take my eye off the ball I know I could be in a very dangerous place and potentially get hurt and get beat. So I'm fully focused and motivated going into this fight."

Taylor made it 10 knockouts from 11 contests when he stopped Miguel Vazquez in Edinburgh in November.

Scotland's Josh Taylor won Commonwealth Gold in 2014 against Namibia's Junias Jonas in Glasgow

The Prestonpans fighter is managed by former world champion Barry McGuigan, who has high hopes for the undefeated Scot.

"This kid is a sensational fighter and we've got to give him fights that will motivate and enliven him and this one will certainly do that," McGuigan said.

"I will be very disappointed if Josh Taylor is not fighting for a world title before the end of 2018. In two or three fights he'll be fighting for a world title. That's if he beats Humberto Soto, and that's not a foregone conclusion."

"This guy is a real test. I think he's a more dangerous test that Vazquez [who Taylor beat last year] because he punches better, he's got better combinations and he'll want to attack."