GARY CORNISH, Inverness heavyweight, will return to the ring tonight in Glasgow against Croatian Hrvoje Kisicek hoping to extend his perfect record to 18 wins.
The six-round bout at the St Andrew's Sporting Club will form part of the 27-year-old's preparations for his appearance on the undercard of the British and European title contest between Dereck Chisora and Tyson Fury on July 26.
The Manchester show is expected to attract a 20,000 sell-out crowd, plus a global TV audience of millions. But Cornish's manager and promoter, Tommy Gilmour, feels it is time the British Boxing Board of Control recognised the 6in 7in boxer as a contender for top domestic honours.
Gilmour said: "The board should be nominating Gary for at least an eliminator for the British title. He is undefeated yet a lot of those who are making these decisions haven't even bothered to come to Scotland to watch him box. Some have questioned the quality of the opposition, while others who have seen him say that he looks the part. He has beaten everybody put in front of him and it is becoming increasingly difficult to get him fights because of his reputation.
"I tried 20 different boxers through agents in six countries before Kisicek agreed to box Gary, because none of the British challengers wants to fight him. The only way that will happen is if they are forced to do so by the board naming Gary for a title eliminator."
Gilmour added: "The last Scot who came anywhere near fighting for the British heavyweight title was a fellow called Ken Shaw, from Dundee.
"Ken, managed by my father, was knocked out in the first round by the legendary Freddie Mills, in a final eliminator, in 1949.
"The Scottish Area Council is pushing Gary's case in an attempt to put pressure on the board, but this fight with Kisicek is costing me as much as it would normally do to promote the whole show."
The St Andrew's bill will feature Bannockburn welterweight James Thomson against Birmingham's Jason Nesbitt and lightweights Arran McKelvie and Sid Razak, from Dundee and Birmingham respectively.
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