GARY CORNISH, the giant Highland heavyweight with pretensions of becoming the first Scot to be crowned British champion at the weight, is attracting widespread international interest, it would seem.

According to his manager, Tommy Gilmour, the undefeated 6' 7" boxer from Inverness is in demand in the United States after recording a 20th career win at the Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley at the weekend.

Cornish, 27, hallmarked his claims by stopping Marino Goles in just 59 seconds with a thunderous straight right to the temple that floored the Croatian and led to him being counted out when it was apparent that he was in no fit state to continue.

Gilmour was understandably delighted at the swiftness of Cornish's execution of his task and is now mulling over several options, one of which may eventually involve exposure in an American ring.

"Gary has been offered a fight in the States on an HBO show," Gilmour revealed yesterday. "The problem is the show takes place on March 15 and that does not give Gary enough time to prepare properly.

"Had it been in two months time I would have said yes to it. But before he goes to America I would want him to have extra specialised sparring under his belt.

"But this shows that Gary is being noticed when he starts being mentioned in those circles. There is also been talk of a possible fight with Anthony Joshua as well, so it is all out there for him.

"We may also look to do another show in Inverness, although we are having various discussions and there is nothing in tablets of stone yet. Right now we are talking to people and playing a waiting game.

"But Gary is close to big things. He knows that and he showed another side against Goles to move on up the ladder.

"We have always known he can whack, but sometimes he has been a little lackadaisical. Not this time, it was a stunning performance. Gary was determined to put on a show and he lined Goles up before delivering a cracking left-right combination.

"I was a little worried beforehand, given that Goles had chalked up 15 knock-outs in 17 wins, making him potentially dangerous and worthy of respect, but he went down like a pack of cards."

The undercard featured Jordan McCorry of Cambuslang and Glenrothes-based Latvian Andrejs Podusovs in a bout for the vacant British Masters lightweight title, with the latter emerging victorious, on points, 96-94 following an all-action 10-round contest.

Aberdeen's Matthew McAllister warmed up for his forthcoming Scottish welterweight title bout against Craig Kelly of Paisley on April 18 in the Granite City with a comprehensive 60-54 points win over Danny Little of Hull.