IN THE NEWS
Former amateur and referee strikes it lucky as he seals deal for British heavyweight title fight between Cornish and Sexton, writes Glynn Evans
How the gamble for the British heavyweight title paid off
A SPECULATIVE offer from Bellshill entrepreneur Paul Graham has secured Inverness giant Gary Cornish crucial home advantage in his quest to become Scotland’s first ever British heavyweight champion. On May 20, “The Highlander” confronts Norwich’s former Commonwealth king Sam Sexton for the vacant domestic title at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.
“I’ve previously promoted Scottish and WBO European title fights plus British eliminators but I’ve always had ambition to deliver Scotland a British champion.
“When Cornish-sexton was proposed, I sensed the big promoters might not fancy it so stuck in a cheeky wee bid and here we are,” explains Graham, who fronts Prospect Boxing. “Up in Scotland it’s being treated as the biggest thing since sliced bread. When we released the bill poster on the internet it had 19,000 hits within 24 hours. The council and local media are all over it and we’re still hoping to secure some TV.”
The 52-year-old letting agent didn’t embrace the Noble Art until his late teens and quips it’s taken him three-anda-half decades to become “an overnight success.”
He explains: “Just before I was 18, I broke three vertebrae in a car crash so started attending a boxing gym as part of my rehabilitation. Thirteen years later, I’d had 60 amateur contests, won 40, and earned a Scotland vest against England when a few of our top lightweights were unavailable. After hanging my gloves up, I served five years as an amateur referee, then advanced to the pros where I officiated 600 fights including the likes of Scott Harrison, Alex Arthur, Willie Limond and Ricky Burns plus a number of Scottish title fights. However, after 12 years, I got the impression it was a ‘closed shop’ and I’d never advance to Star Class.
“To remain involved, I decided to have a crack at management. What an education I got hanging onto Tommy Gilmour’s coat tails. I took over Gary Young’s contract and later had fighters like Craig Docherty and Kris Hughes. In early 2010, I set up Prospect Boxing and, to keep my guys busy, I’ve run about four shows a year.
“I first ran on a Sunday afternoon at the Cleland Miners Welfare Club on June 27, 2010 when, unfortunately, England were involved in a World Cup match against Germany. Nobody turned up and I did my b ****** s!”
Nevertheless, he persevered and, over the ensuing seven years, ploughed his dough into another 30 promotions. Next month’s venture at the North Lanarkshire venue is easily his most ambitious.
“The manager, Graham Morrison, is a boxing fan and he’s been extremely helpful. The hall is equidistant from Glasgow and Edinburgh by motorway, holds 1500 people and, when it’s full, it’s really ‘banging’. Tickets are competitively priced at £40, £60, £100 and I’m working at getting other top Scottish boxers on the undercard. We’ll have Highland dancers, [bag]pipes, kilts, the whole shebang!
“Gary’s 6ft 7(ins), 18st so has all the physical hardware and now he’s training in Lanarkshire with Billy Nelson who’ll add the technical finery. It’s a genuine 50-50 match-up and, like Sam, Gary will never have a better chance of winning a British title. Whoever prevails can then move on and cash in. The big names will fancy it and they can form a queue.
“I don’t have an ego. I don’t need to be Celtic or Rangers, I’m happy to be Hamilton Accies! Happy to be involved in this wonderful sport and if I could help deliver Scotland another British champion that would be fantastic.”
‘I DON’T NEED TO BE CELTIC OR RANGERS, I’M HAPPY TO BE HAMILTON ACCIES!’