GARY CORNISH, the undefeated heavyweight from Inverness, will challenge Hungarian Zoltan Csala for the vacant IBO International championship on May 23 and hopefully set in motion a sequence of bouts that could lead to him being crowned world champion within 12 months.

The fight at Bellahouston Sports Centre is the first step on a title trail Cornish's manager, Tommy Gilmour has been working on for some time in an effort to secure an eventual crack at winning the big prize.

No Scot has ever contested the British title at the weight, let alone come remotely close to conquering the world. But Gilmour genuinely believes that Cornish, who stands 6' 7", has it in him to scale the heights and land the sport's most sought-after prize.

He said yesterday: "Gary has chosen to go down the world title route starting with the IBO International belt in the hope of emulating two of the modern greats, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.

"They are just two of several heavyweights who held that particular title on their way to being crowned champion of the world and this is the path I feel can propel Gary into a position over the next 12 months to challenge for the world title.

"Perhaps along the way he may pick up the British, Commonwealth or European title, but the important thing is he has a defined plan to become world champion which would be a phenomenal achievement.

"Csala is currently 50 places above Gary in the world rankings in 70th, but if Cornish can claim that spot he will qualify to fight for the IBO Intercontinental championship.

"If he were then to go on and win that title he would need to make only two successful defences to become a mandatory contender for the world title. So these are exciting times.

"People might be tempted to ask why he pulled out of a British tile eliminator, but this will propel him further up the ladder quicker and raise his profile significantly.

"I consider him ready for the challenge. This has been more than four years in the making so he has served his apprenticeship."

Cornish has a perfect record of 20 straight wins compared to 33-year-old Hungarian champion Csala's figures of 8-1 including six knock-outs.

He also held the WBF International title before suffering his first defeat, in February, in the first of three bouts he has had since the turn of the year.

Nicknamed "Furioso", Csala has an orthodox stance and at 6' 2½" is significantly shorter than his rival and has been a professional for less than three years.

Tickets for the show also featuring British super-welterweight title challenger Kris Carslaw, from Paisley, are available from the boxers or by telephoning 0141 810 5700.