Gary Cornish will head to Russia next month to spar mandatory WBA heavyweight title contender Alexander Povetkin.
The Highlander will get into the ring with Povetkin, 38, who is next in line to fight for Anthony Joshua’s WBA title.
Povetkin is scheduled to fight David Price on the undercard of Joshua’s unification fight against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker on March 31. On the same night, Cornish is set to box in his home city of Inverness for the first time in nearly five years at the Kingsmills Hotel.
MTK Scotland promoter Sam Kynoch believes it will be a huge challenge for former British title contender Cornish, who will be joined by his coach Liam Foy in Russia.
Kynoch said: “He’s going to get two weeks sparring (with Povetkin) which will stand him in good stead. I expect to see him come back in good form. Being in Russia and part of a camp like that will be a great experience for him. Liam will be going, too, which will help the next stage of his coaching experience.”
Cornish made his first ring appearance in three months in January with his 90-second win against David Howe, brushing off ring-rust after his British title loss to Sam Sexton in October.
A deal for a potential “big fight” fell through for Cornish, prompting Kynoch to put plans in place for MTK’s first promotion in the Highlands.
Also on the bill is lightweight Andrew Mackay, who has fought for the Scottish title three times and wants to get back into championship contention. Kynoch hopes he can get him there.
He said: “The fight at the Kingsmills will be a six-rounder for Andrew and we’ve got an agreement in principal for him to fight again before the summer. But all eyes are on this one first to get him back to winning ways.
“He’s quite a bit of bad luck with injury, so hopefully we can keep him busy and get him happy again. That will make a difference when it comes to title fights.”
Opponents for the March 31 bill at the Kingsmills are yet to be announced, with one other contest expected to join Mackay and Cornish. The evening will be finished by a live screening of Joshua’s fight with Parker.