One of Limond’s most famous bouts was a Commonwealth lightweight title meeting in 2007 against Khan, when the Athens Olympics silver medallist was an unbeaten rising star.

Limond gave Khan – who went into the fight with nine knockouts from his then 12 fights – the toughest test of his early professional career, knocking the 20-year-old down before losing by stoppage.

He knocked Khan to the canvas in the sixth round but was denied what he felt was a knockout by a significant delay before the count began.

The Bolton fighter then took control, with Limond forced to retire from the fight because of a broken jaw before the start of the ninth round.

Limond won a WBU title and in 2010 took on four-weight world champion Morales in a title fight in Mexico, going down three times in the sixth.

He lost to Crolla on points in his next British title fight at light-welterweight level before three successful Commonwealth title fights, the latter also securing him the British title with victory over Curtis Woodhouse in 2014.

Former world champion Crolla posted a ‘heartbroken’ emoji on X and, along with a recent photo of himself and Limond, wrote: “Not just in boxing but in life as well. One of the best men I ever met.”

Woodhouse, who was beaten by Limond at Braehead Arena in 2014, also paid tribute to the fighter on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Absolutely devastated to hear the news of the passing of Willie Limond, a great fighter and a great man,” the Englishman wrote.

“We stayed in touch after our fight and always had a laugh together. Absolutely gutted. Rest in peace champ.”

St Andrew’s Sporting Club – who were scheduled to stage Limond’s fight with Laws – posted on social media: “Everyone at St Andrew’s Sporting Club are shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of our friend, Willie Limond.

“Willie was not only a legend of the sport, but an infectious character who will be greatly missed by us all.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jake, Drew, Macy and the rest of the Limond family at this time.”