Cornish turns 90-second Joshua bout into a positive
The pain of separation and loneliness may turn out to be key motivating forces for Gary Cornish when he tries to become the first Scot to be crowned British heavyweight champion.
The 6ft 7in boxer from Inverness has done little else other than eat, sleep and train away from the bosom of his family since learning that he will fight Sam Sexton of Norwich for the vacant Lonsdale Belt at Meadowbank Arena on 6 October.
The bout forms part of an exciting British title double-header also featuring Edinburgh cruiserweight Stephen Simmons against another english man, mat ty Askins, on a MTK Scotland promotion.
Cornish is adamant he had little choice other than adopt a spartan lifestyle after being given a timely reminder that he lacked the credentials to prevail at the highest level of his sport.
He was forced to rethink his career path after suffering a 90-second defeat at the hands of future world champion anthony joshua two years ago.
As a result of that loss – his only defeat in 25 contests – Cornish turned to Glasgow-based trainer Billy Nelson, who helped guide Ricky Burns to world champion status.
He said yesterday: “I don’t regret taking the fight with Joshua. It showed me I needed to be schooled better and I’ve taken my career away from Inverness and we’ve picked up on a lot of mistakes I was making.
“It was a sound learning curve and, also, fighting in front of thousands at the O2 Arena stands me in good stead for the future.
“Billy has given me my drive back. It’s hard being away from my family and friends, but I’ve dreamed about being the British champion since I started boxing so it had to be done.”