WILLIE LIMOND has revealed his pride at finally scaling the summit of British boxing, 15 years after he first turned professional.

The 35-year-old delivered a boxing masterclass that saw him defend his Commonwealth light-welterweight championship and claim the British title, at the third time of asking, via a majority point's decision against Curtis Woodhouse, at the Braehead Arena on June 27.

It was a performance and a result that has catapulted the Glaswegian to the top of the British light-welterweight rankings and placed him at the head of the queue for a tilt at European champion Michele di Rocco's 140lbs belt - possibly in November, hopefully in Glasgow.

Limond has added extra power to the cute, classic orthodox style that has made him one of the most respected operators in the British ring.

And the British and Commonwealth champion's late resurgence has provided a new meaning to the phrase Indian Summer.

Limond said: "I am really pleased to be ranked No.1 in the British rankings. It has taken me 15 years to get there but at last I am the top man in my weight division.

"When I was in the super-featherweights I was second to Alex Arthur and when I moved to lightweight I was No.2 behind Amir Khan.

"At last I have reached the top spot, and I'm still only 35!

"But seriously these are the landmarks that make all the difference to you as a pro.

"I had always wanted to be British champion and having lost to Alex (Arthur) back in 2003 then Anthony (Crolla) in 2011, I knew my shot at Curtis Woodhouse was going to be my last chance.

"Having the Lonsdale belt wrapped around my waist at Braehead, was the most satisfying night of my career.

"The great thing is that it has opened up another door which will hopefully lead to a shot at di Rocco for his European title.

"At this stage in my career it doesn't get much better than that."

Modest and self-effacing, nobody can begrudge Limond his long overdue success.

In a career that has had so many nearly moments, the long count - back in July, 2007 - that allowed Amir Khan to avoid the first stoppage defeat of his career, robbed Limond of a sixth-round victory that would surely have seen him surge towards a tilt at the world title.

Instead, the elasticity of referee Marcus McDonnell's count allowed Khan to survive and after suffering a burst ear drum in the seventh Limond was forced to quit.

But there have been other epic adventures in Limond's extraordinary career. None more so than the battle with Mexico's Erik "El Terrible" Morales, in a bullring in Mexico City in 2010, in front of 60,000 baying fans.

The draining effects of altitude saw the Scot fold in the sixth after he had more than held his own with the four-weight world champion.

Perhaps it has been the additional power that has been evident in Limond's recent outings that has underpinned such a sweet renaissance deep in the autumn of his career.

In dropping Woodhouse with two of the most sweetly timed uppercuts, from either hand, in rounds three and 11, the Glaswegian underlined that further glory may still be within his iron grasp.

Limond said: "I have two options for my next fight - one a domestic defence and the other, hopefully, a shot at di Rocco. A crack at the European title is something I'd really love and fingers crossed my management team of Alex Morrison and Eddie Hearn can make it happen.

"Without big Alex I would not have got my shot at Woodhouse and become British champion so I owe him a huge thanks - and my sponsors Morton's Rolls too.

"Whatever happens when my career is over, no-one can take that away from me."