Cornish looking to end year on a high
BREAKING into Britain’s top 10 heavyweights is next year’s target for Gary Cornish.
The Highlander is currently 14th on the list, but has made 2013 the year in which to put himself up there with the best the UK has to offer in his weight division.
Of more pressing importance, however, for Cornish is a bout against Yavor Marinchev tonight in the Pride of the Highlands show at the New Drumossie Hotel.
His contest with the Bulgarian, nicknamed ‘The Hyena’, is his last of the year and Cornish intends to sign off with a seventh consecutive win in 2012.
Should he achieve victory over Marinchev then it will keep the 25-year-old, from Inverness, who has won all 10 of his previous fights since turning pro last year, on course to make the breakthrough into the top 10 heavyweights in Britain he desires.
"It would be great to round of the year on a high by getting the win because it then allows you to look forward a bit more to next year," said Cornish.
"I don’t really look back on things too much as I’m more someone who looks forward, but there’s no doubt it’s gone by in a bit of a flash.
"I haven’t really thought too much about next year or made any definite plans, but hopefully I can keep working my way up and get myself into the top 10 in the rankings.
"However, as a boxer you are only as good as your last fight, so we’ll need to see how it goes on Friday."
Marinchev (28) comes into tonight’s contest on the back of three consecutive victories, one of these coming courtesy of a knockout.
However, his professional record shows just 8 wins from 31 fights so far, although Cornish will be taking nothing for granted.
"I know that he’s a tough, durable boxer," he said. "He’s had a lot of fights, so therefore will have gathered plenty of experience.
"It should be a good contest, but I’ll leave it to my coaches to suss him out and work out a game plan for me. We’ve been working hard in the gym, so hopefully it all comes together on the night."
The venue for a show that also features Inverness welterweight Alastair ‘Jasper’ Chisholm (29) taking on Tamworth’s Matt Seawright, is one that Cornish will remember with a degree of satisfaction.
In May, he knocked out Laszlo Peczeli at the New Drumossie Hotel, but Cornish is not too concerned should tonight’s bout go the distance.
"It’s all well and good getting knockouts, but when you are looking to gain experience then you don’t really learn anything if the fight is over early," he said.
"If the chances comes along to get a knockout then as a boxer you have to take it.
"However, if it happens to be a win on points then I’m happy with that. It’s good to get rounds under your belt."
The show has been organised by the supporters group Caley Jags Together in conjunction with Chris Gilmour Boxing and is sponsored by Norscot Joinery.
Tickets, priced at £100 per person, are still available. Contact Laura today on 0776 969 7899, or e-mail laura@ictst.co.uk. For further information, log on to www.prideofthehighlands.com.