GARY CORNISH has been warned that he can afford no slip-ups if he is to continue his march towards a possible battle of the unbeaten heavyweights against Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua.
The Highlander will face Croatian knockout specialist Marino "The Beast" Goles, at the Paisley Lagoon Centre, on Saturday, February 28, when Cornish will put his own unblemished ring resume on the line.
But his manager Tommy Gilmour has warned the 6ft 7in pugilist that if 2015 is finally to be the year that Cornish turns into the cream of British boxing, he will first have to overcome a vastly experienced opponent who warmed up for his trip to Scotland with a first-round knockout just two weeks ago.
Gilmour said: "Gary has flown under the radar a bit of late and that has been due to call-offs and other frustrations but we have been very busy working away in the background for him and 2015 has the potential to really be Gary's year.
"However, for that to happen, and we have a number of very exciting possibilities down the line for Gary, he must first overcome Goles and that will be no easy thing.
"We are talking about an experienced pro who is live and dangerous and coming to Scotland in winning form looking to take the scalp of an unbeaten fighter in Gary.
"But the incentives for Gary could not be greater and one of these is, perhaps, a meeting with Anthony Joshua, later in the year. I must stress that is just one possibility for Gary but it will only remain so if he beats Goles and retains his zero in the loss column.
"Potentially we are looking at Gary having three outings before the summer is over and if he comes through all of these still unbeaten, then we will see what is there for Gary.
"But you look at Tyson Fury and he isn't going to be defending the British title and that could fall vacant. If it does so, Joshua has recovered from his (back) injury and Gary is still unbeaten, then that would definitely be a fight that makes sense in all respects. It would be huge.
"But, as I said, Gary has the beast to tame and with Goles having stopped 15 of his 19 opponents, it is vital Gary keeps all of his focus on February 28 and does not let his gaze wander further down the line."
While Cornish only had two outings in 2014 after fights with the likes of former Commonwealth champion Sam Sexton fell through, Gilmour says his charge has continued to develop.
He said: "Gary has had sparring with the like of (Kubrat) Pulev, who recently challenged Wladimir Klitschko for his heavyweight world titles, and that was tougher than any fights he was likely to have had. So Gary has continued to progress, learn and develop."
Tickets for Cornish's Paisley appearance priced £40, £50 and £75 VIP are available on 0141 810 5700.
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