Inverness boxer Gary Cornish is determined to fulfil a career-long ambition by winning the British heavyweight title with a victory against Englishman Sam Sexton in Edinburgh tonight.
Cornish, whose only defeat in 25 professional fights came against Anthony Joshua in 2015, is aiming to secure the title that was vacated by Dillian Whyte this year.
The stakes are high for Cornish but the Highlander says he has remained calm and collected in the build-up to the fight against Norwich fighter Sexton.
Cornish said: “When I first started boxing it was a dream to win the British heavyweight title and I now have a great chance to do it.
“Mentally, I feel good. I have always thought to myself ‘what’s the point in getting nervous?’
“I do this because I enjoy it so I never really get nervous. I am excited about it.”
Cornish, who turned full-time this year under the management of MTK Scotland, made a late change when he opted to part with trainer Billy Nelson.
The 30-year-old has spent the last week in Preston working with Johnney Roye, who previously worked with Hughie Fury, and Cornish insists the timing of the switch has had no detrimental effect, adding: “It’s only been a positive. I had to do what I felt was best for myself and I feel nothing has been affected. I haven’t missed any training so I feel good.”
Tonight’s fight had originally been scheduled to take place in May, before Sexton was forced to withdraw a week in advance on medical advice.
Sexton has not fought since July 2016 but Cornish is not treating his opponent lightly and said: “I was also meant to fight him a couple of years ago but it got called off, so this is the third time lucky. He is a good opponent with plenty of experience. I’ve seen him up close and have always wanted to fight him.”
Cornish’s bout with Sexton is the headline act in tonight’s Capital Collision at Meadowbank Arena. Fellow MTK Scotland boxer Stephen Simmons, from Edinburgh, is also competing for a title when he takes on Simon Barclay for the IBF Europe cruiserweight title.
Cornish hopes home advantage can make a difference but knows his hopes of securing the title are all up to him, adding: “It’s brilliant having the home crowd.
“But as soon as the bell goes it’s just me and him in the ring. I don’t tend to hear much because I’m so focused on my opponent.”