Gary Cornish needs to deliver an explosive performance against David Howe to make himself relevant in the title picture again.
That is the view of his manager Sam Kynoch, who wants to see the Highlander step up his game and dispose of Howe tonight in Glasgow.
The Inverness heavyweight has had to overcome the disappointment of a British title defeat, losing out on points to Sam Sexton at the Meadowbank Arena in October.
Friday’s bout represents his first chance to make amends and Kynoch, promoter with MTK Scotland, expects him to deliver in convincing fashion.
He said: “Gary needs a big performance, simple as that. Gun to my head I’d take a win but to put his name on the map and make people take notice, he needs an explosive performance.
“This fight is a step in the right direction. He’s fighting a live opponent who is not just coming here to lose. Gary has to pick up a win to become relevant in the title picture again.”
Howe comes in to the Crowne Plaza contest with a record of 14-6, with two wins over Cornish’s fellow MTK heavyweight Jay Carrigan-McFarlane last year.
Cornish has spoken of his ambitions to win the British title but Kynoch hinted that is not a path he is wedded too, with other opportunities out there for the 30-year-old.
Kynoch said: “There’s been a few offers made but nothing that can be done at this stage. The British title is not something he has to go for – there’s plenty of avenues there for him.”
Since his last fight Cornish has changed trainers again, reuniting with his old amateur coach Liam Foy and relocating back to Inverness.
He moved to Glasgow and went full-time with MTK at the end of 2016, joining up with Billy Nelson. The pair split less than three weeks before Cornish’s fight with Sexton and his training camp was completed with Preston-based coach Johnney Roye.
Foy stepped in towards the end of 2017 and Cornish has been working at his club – Highland Boxing Academy – in the Carse area of the city.
Kynoch added: “He left Inverness in the first place and that has to be acknowledged. But rather than waiting for people to come and spar with him – which isn’t going to happen – he’s getting out and being as prepared as he can.
“He was down in Glasgow at my gym a fortnight ago and he was down in Liverpool last weekend, which will be good for him.”
