Former world champion Josh Taylor says boxing “will be a duller place” without Willie Limond, who has died aged 45.

Ex-British and Commonwealth light-welterweight champion Limond won 42 of his 48 professional fights from 1999 to 2023 – and 13 by knockout – although only three bouts took place after 2016.

Four of his losses were to fighters who won world titles – Amir Khan, Anthony Crolla, Erik Morales and Ricky Burns.

“It’s a terrible day for Scottish sport,” Taylor told BBC Scotland.

“The man in general was a larger-than-life character. He was always funny. He was one of life’s good guys.

“It’s such a tragic, tragic loss. Scotland’s lost one of its favourite sons, especially in boxing. It’s a huge loss.”

Limond was originally a footballer, playing five times for Albion Rovers in the late 1990s.

In his distinguished boxing career he held the British super-featherweight, light-welterweight and lightweight titles as well as the Commonwealth light-welterweight, WBU lightweight and IBO Inter-Continental lightweight crowns.

In a post on social media, his son Jake said his “dad passed away in the early hours of the morning”.

“He fought on for near enough 10 days. Warrior,” he added on Instagram.

Limond fought countryman Burns in September, with the referee stopping the fight at the end of the eighth round because of excessive blood from his nose.

He announced his retirement from the sport afterwards but was set to face Joe Laws at Emirates Arena in Glasgow on 3 May.

Laws posted on Instagram: “I’m absolutely devastated. Willie just wanted to make a better life for his family.

“Willie my old son, wait for me at the pearly gates – we can get it on. Legends never die.”

Limond was found in an unresponsive state in a car in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, on 6 April and was taken to Monklands Hospital, where he died. Police Scotland say there are no suspicious circumstances.