Highland heavyweight prospect Gary Cornish insists he is ready to shock the boxing world by handing Anthony Joshua the first defeat of his professional career live on television tonight.
The Scot faces 2012 Olympic gold medallist Joshua for the vacant Commonwealth title at the O2 Arena in London and you can see how Cornish fares, with the fight to be shown live on Sky Sports 1.
Cornish, who has a perfect record of 21-0 with 12 of his wins coming via knockout, is the underdog against Joshua, the overwhelming favourite who claimed his 13th consecutive knockout when he beat Kevin Johnson in two rounds in May.
Cornish insists he will not be victim number 14. He said: “I know that many people are underestimating me and I’m not bothered about that.
“I’m a quiet guy who just goes about my own business. I don’t listen or pay any attention to what they say. I’m not going to give anything away on what we are going to do but I will surprise people on the night. I’m going to turn up to fight and win as I always do. I’m there to have a fight with Joshua and I’m confident I can outbox him and I can stop him.
“We are two undefeated fighters who are willing to put their records on the line – both big punchers and it definitely won’t see the final bell, someone is getting knocked out. I’m relaxed and quietly confident in myself, I respect him but I will be victorious.”
Sparring has traditionally been an issue for Cornish in Inverness but his sponsors have stepped in to ensure he is as well prepared as he can possibly be for his date with destiny in the capital.
He said: “I’ve sparred Richard Towers for this one and before he fought Wladimir Klitschko I sparred with Kubrat Pulev. It helped with my development sparring Pulev, who is one of the best in the world. It was full on sparring and to go in with people who are fighting for the world title was great. We weren’t mucking about.”
In a sport renowned for the trash talking promotion by the men in the ring, there has been cordial respect shown from both boxers in the build-up to this one.
Cornish is confident but knows better than to provide his opponent with any extra motivation.
He said: “He’s done the same as me, he’s beaten all the opponents who have been put in front of him. He’s not had an easy ride, and neither have I. I’ve not been beaten as an amateur or pro, so it’s going to be hard for him. I’ve been knocking more people out. I’ve put on a bit of weight as well and I’ve done more weights.”
Cornish is already being dismissed as an after-thought by Joshua’s camp, with plans already being put in place for the Olympic champion’s next opponent.
Dillian Whyte is being tipped to face Joshua at the O2 Arena on December 12 for the British title but Cornish believes he can throw a spanner in the works by upsetting the odds.
He said: “I will surprise people on the night. I’m going to turn up to fight and win as I always do. I’m confident I can stop him.”