IT must be hoped that looks are indeed often deceptive.

Otherwise Gary Cornish will have his work cut out preserving his perfect ring record at the Bellahouston Leisure Centre this evening when he attempts to win the vacant IBO International heavyweight title.

While we cannot say with any degree of certainty just how good Zoltan Csala is, he certainly looks the part, down to his Mike Tyson-style tattoo.

Csala was at pains to deny it is a deliberate attempt to add to his air of menace. However, but for the fact that his particular body art is positioned around his right eye while Tyson's is on the left side of his face, the similarities are striking.

One thing is certain, even though he is four inches shorter than the Highlander, from Inverness, at 6ft 3in Csala looks to be every bit as powerfully built as Cornish, 28. He also boasts a long and successful amateur career, as opposed to his opponent, who had only nine bouts before turning professional.

Csala is also approximately 50 places higher in the world rankings after suffering a single defeat in nine paid bouts, compared to Cornish's record of 20 straight wins.

No matter what he may say to the contrary, the 33-year-old nicknamed "Furioso" clearly sees himself as Hungary's answer to Iron Mike. Hopefully he does not possess the same punching power as the former world champion.

But perhaps Csala is entitled to the benefit of the doubt after he claimed: "This is my design. The idea came from a movie, not Tyson. I saw someone with a tattoo similar to this and wanted one. But maybe I can punch like Tyson!

"I have been told that Scottish crowds are very passionate but that does not worry me. I am fighting only one man, not hundreds of his countrymen, and, to be honest, I probably won't even notice the fans because I will be focussed only on the job.

"Cornish will be a tough opponent, but I like to fight and I have come to beat him. The only thing that is important to me is winning.

"I have become quite famous since I stopped Zoltan Petranyi to win the Hungarian title in December. However, I will become even better known if I can do the same to Cornish."

Tommy Gilmour, Cornish's manager, added: "Gary's pro career has been a steady process of education and he has passed every test. Now it is time for him to step up in class to see if he has what it takes to succeed at the next level."