MASSIVE CHANCE
Cornish and Sexton have a golden opportunity to become British heavyweight king, writes
‘CORNISH MAY BECOME SCOTLAND’S FIRST BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION’
ORIGINALLY scheduled to meet in May for the vacant British heavyweight title, Gary Cornish and Norwich’s
Sam Sexton collide at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh on Friday (October 6). Inverness’ Cornish will very much be the home fighter, and if the 30-year-old wins he will also become Scotland’s first ever British heavyweight champion.
The “Highlander” is, unfortunately, best known to most for a loss – more specifically his one-round demolition at the hands of Anthony Joshua in 2015. Given what Joshua has gone on to do, that’s no real shame, but it would have been difficult to deal with all the same, given that Gary was undefeated beforehand.
His response has been three decision wins over journeymen, two of which came over Kamil Sokolowski. More importantly, Cornish teamed up with the Mack The Knife (MTK) management group – for whom Sam Kynoch promotes this event (Boxnation televise) – and began training full time with top coach Billy Nelson.
Not only has this allowed him to get into better shape, it also means he gets regular sparring, including some work with Hughie Fury, Con Sheehan and Edinburgh cruiser Stephen Simmons, 17-2 (7), who meets Corby’s Simon Barclay, 9-1 (1), over 12 on the bill.
Besides Joshua, the Scot has not fought a decent-level opponent. His record is predominantly made up of journeymen, and while these wins would have helped him develop (to an extent), they don’t tell us much about him.
Sexton, meanwhile, has fought at a higher level, though his three losses – all inside schedule, twice to Dereck Chisora and once to David Price – suggest his ceiling stops at domestic level. However, he is a former Prizefighter and Commonwealth champion, and holds two wins over Martin Rogan. However, the first of those was slightly controversial – Rogan was stopped due to swelling around his eye – and in the mandated immediate rematch Rogan retired with an injured arm. That second Rogan victory, which came in 2009, is arguably the last meaningful win of Sexton’s career. Immediately after it he was halted in nine by Chisora and then, in 2012, was knocked out in four rounds by Price.
In that sense, neither come into this fight in electric form. However, with Joshua ruling the division worldwide, Tyson Fury still on the sidelines and the likes of Chisora and Dillian Whyte moving on from domestic level, this bout makes enough sense for the Lonsdale Belt to be on the line.
Stylistically, Cornish’s height and range could cause Sexton to struggle. Against the towering Price, he was pushed onto the back foot and could not get inside. Cornish, however, likes to start fast and sometimes casts aside his advantage in height so that he can track foes down.
Gary tends to box with his hands low, but throws a solid jab from his midsection, which can make it hard to telegraph. He also has respectable hand speed, though he rarely plants his feet or throws with real force.
As mentioned, Sexton, 33, can be forced into a shell if you get his respect early, though he is also effective on the counter. He doesn’t carry concussive power, but he works well to the body and can wear his man down.
Neither fighter has ever gone the 12-round distance – so you may find it odd that I’m picking this one to go to the final bell. However, neither carry fight-ending power and they are evenly matched. Cornish should be able to outwork Sexton at range and win this one on points.
THE VERDICT Cornish can make history against Sexton.