LEE McALLISTER, the Aberdeen light-welterweight, will enjoy government support ahead of his European title bout with champion Denis Shafikov, of Russia, at the city's Exhibition Centre on Saturday evening.
It was announced yesterday that First Minister Alex Salmond will attend tomorrow's pre-fight weight-in which is being thrown open to the public.
Tommy Gilmour, McAllister's manager and the show's co-promoter in association with Frank Maloney, said: "Alex Salmond has always been a great supporter of Lee. He previously visited him at his gym when he was in training in the run-up to a fight.
"For him to take time out of his busy schedule, to attend Friday's weigh-in is a great endorsement for Lee and the show."
While the spotlight is firmly fixed on McAllister and Shafikov, it would appear that the giant Highland heavyweight, Gary Cornish, is causing a stir in boxing circles.
The undefeated 6ft 7in fighter from Inverness, who features on the Aberdeen undercard against Lithuanian Igoris Borucha, already has caught Maloney's eye after he made an appearance on the London promoter's Liverpool show last month.
Maloney, who guided former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis' career, said: "Everyone knows how passionate I am about the heavyweights and I like the look of this kid.
"He's had only a handful of professional fights after a brief amateur career, but he has impressed me. He is very athletic and I think we've got a selling machine, if his career is handled properly, judging by his desire to learn.
"Scotland has never had a successful heavyweight, so it would be nice if Tommy produces one, although it is perhaps a bit too soon to be comparing Cornish with Lewis."
Gilmour added: "We have a five-year plan for Gary. He's only been in the ring 15 times in his life, so we have to give him amateur experience in the professional world."
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