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Gary Cornish
Gary Cornish
from Wikipedia

Gary Cornish (born 10 April 1987) is a Scottish former professional boxer who competed from 2011 to 2018. He challenged once for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title in 2015.

Key Information

Amateur career

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As a youngster, he played football for Brora Rangers.[1] He decided to go to the local boxing gym only to improve his fitness for football. He fell in love with boxing, quickly discovering his talent for the sport. Trainers and seasoned fighters were not used to 6 ft 7in boxers who possessed such speed and athleticism, and as such it proved difficult to find suitable opponents. After a pursuit of football, he eventually returned to boxing, the sport where he had shown most ability, at age of 19. His amateur career was short, due to the difficulty in finding suitable opponents, and he turned professional with an amateur record of 9–0.

Professional career

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His break out fight came in 2015, when he challenged Hungarian Zoltan Csala for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. Cornish dominated Csala and won the fight via a technical knockout in the fourth round.

Cornish vs. Joshua

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On 12 September 2015, Cornish fought Anthony Joshua for the Vacant Commonwealth Belt. Cornish was stopped by the referee just 90 seconds into the fight.[2] He was the first Scottish heavyweight to fight for the commonwealth heavyweight title.

Cornish remained largely absent from the public eye following the Joshua fight, but since regrouped in 2016 with two points victories in bouts fought in Scotland.

In 2017, he became the first Scottish boxer to fight for the British heavyweight title against Sam Sexton. His bid for the title proved unsuccessful, as he lost by unanimous decision to Sexton.[3]

In March 2019, Cornish announced that he would be retiring from boxing on medical grounds after a brain scan. He described his decision to retire as "devastating".[4]

Personal life

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Cornish is proud of his Scottish heritage. He has a tattoo on his chest, saying "Alba gu bràth,"[5] which is a Scottish Gaelic phrase used to express allegiance to Scotland as it means 'Scotland forever'. He’s happily married to Briony, who’s also from Scotland, Inverness, where they currently reside.

Professional boxing record

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27 fights 25 wins 2 losses
By knockout 13 1
By decision 12 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
27 Win 25–2 David Howe TKO 1 (6), 1:29 26 Jan 2018 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
26 Loss 24–2 Sam Sexton UD 12 6 Oct 2017 Meadowbank Arena, Edinburgh, Scotland For vacant British heavyweight title
25 Win 24–1 Kamil Sokolowski PTS 6 18 Feb 2017 Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Scotland
24 Win 23–1 Tomas Mrazek PTS 6 24 Jun 2016 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
23 Win 22–1 Kamil Sokolowski PTS 8 25 Mar 2016 Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland
22 Loss 21–1 Anthony Joshua TKO 1 (12), 1:37 12 Sep 2015 The O2 Arena, London, England For WBC International, and vacant Commonwealth heavyweight titles
21 Win 21–0 Zoltan Csala TKO 4 (12), 0:47 23 May 2015 Bellahouston Leisure Centre, Glasgow, Scotland Won vacant IBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
20 Win 20–0 Marino Goles TKO 1 (10), 0:59 28 Feb 2015 Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Scotland
19 Win 19–0 Larry Olubamiwo PTS 8 9 Jun 2014 Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, Scotland
18 Win 18–0 Hrvoje Kisicek TKO 2 (6) 28 Apr 2014 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
17 Win 17–0 Ivica Perkovic TKO 3 (6), 2:50 30 Nov 2013 Copper Box Arena, London, England
16 Win 16–0 Tomas Mrazek TKO 7 (8), 2:47 20 Sep 2013 Hilton Hotel, London, England
15 Win 15–0 Paul Butlin KO 5 (10), 3:08 7 Jun 2013 The Ironworks, Inverness, Scotland Won vacant International Masters heavyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Humberto Evora RTD 4 (8), 3:00 15 Mar 2013 York Hall, London, England
13 Win 13–0 Jakov Gospic TKO 4 (8), 2:03 15 Feb 2013 Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring, England
12 Win 12–0 Tamas Bajzath PTS 6 21 Jan 2013 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
11 Win 11–0 Yavor Marinchev TKO 5 (6), 0:52 7 Dec 2012 Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, Scotland
10 Win 10–0 Moses Matovu PTS 6 22 Oct 2012 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
9 Win 9–0 Peter Erdos PTS 6 28 Sep 2012 The Ironworks, Inverness, Scotland
8 Win 8–0 Tayar Mehmed PTS 4 2 Jun 2012 Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England
7 Win 7–0 Laszlo Peczeli TKO 2 (6), 0:15 11 May 2012 Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, Scotland
6 Win 6–0 Igoris Borucha PTS 4 25 Feb 2012 Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland
5 Win 5–0 Remigijus Ziausys PTS 4 21 Jan 2012 Olympia, Liverpool, England
4 Win 4–0 Hastings Rasani PTS 8 2 Dec 2011 Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, Scotland
3 Win 3–0 Rolandas Cesna PTS 4 23 Sep 2011 Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland
2 Win 2–0 Hastings Rasani RTD 4 (6), 2:00 11 Jun 2011 Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland
1 Win 1–0 Howard Daley TKO 2 (6), 0:43 4 Aug 2011 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Gary Cornish (born 10 April 1987) is a Scottish former professional who competed as a from 2011 to 2018.
Nicknamed the "Highlander," Cornish, from , , began as a way to maintain fitness after playing semi-professional football for Brora Rangers. As an amateur, he won the Scottish championship before turning professional. Over his professional career, he amassed a record of 25 wins and 2 losses, including 13 , remaining undefeated for his first 21 bouts.
Cornish's most notable fight came on 12 September 2015, when he challenged the vacant title against Olympic gold medalist at in ; he was stopped by technical after 97 seconds of the first round, marking his first professional defeat. In 2017, he became the first Scottish to contest the British title, facing at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in , but lost by after 12 rounds. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm) tall with an , Cornish was known for his reach and power but struggled against elite opposition.
Cornish announced his retirement in March 2019 at age 31, following the revocation of his license by the after a routine brain scan revealed medical concerns; he unsuccessfully appealed twice before stepping away from the sport. Post-retirement, he has reflected on his career with acceptance, noting his love for while pursuing other interests.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Gary Cornish was born on 10 April 1987 in , , and spent his childhood in the northern . Growing up in this , he was immersed in a close-knit that emphasized and outdoor pursuits. As a young man, Cornish was deeply involved in football, playing as a striker for Brora Rangers in the Highland Football League during his early adulthood. This team sport became a central part of his youth, reflecting his initial passion for athletic competition in a collective setting. At the age of 19, Cornish decided to start boxing primarily to enhance his fitness levels for football, marking a pivotal shift from team-based activities to the demands of individual combat training. He began his initial training sessions at local gyms in Inverness, including the Inverness City Amateur Boxing Club, where the structured environment quickly captivated him. His working-class upbringing in the Scottish Highlands, coupled with a background that included manual labor as a joiner, fostered a resilient determination that underpinned his early commitment to the sport.

Amateur career

Gary Cornish began his boxing journey in the heavyweight division with a focus on fitness, initially using the to enhance his physical conditioning for football, before progressing to structured sessions that emphasized technique and . As he gained confidence, his regimen shifted toward competitive preparation, incorporating bouts in Scottish regional tournaments to build experience against local opposition. Cornish compiled an undefeated amateur record of 9–0, showcasing his potential through consistent victories that highlighted his size and power advantages at 6 ft 7 in. A key accomplishment was winning the Scottish Championship in , which solidified his status as Scotland's top prospect in the division. By 2010–2011, Cornish decided to turn professional, citing the scarcity of suitable opponents in Scotland's amateur scene as a primary factor limiting further development. He sought higher-level competition and greater opportunities for advancement in the paid ranks, marking the end of a brief but successful unpaid tenure.

Professional career

Early professional career

Gary Cornish made his professional boxing debut on April 18, 2011, at the Radisson Hotel in , , where he defeated Howard Daley by technical in the second round of a scheduled six-round bout. Standing at an imposing 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) with an , the from entered the paid ranks after a limited background, weighing around 17 stone and quickly establishing himself as a formidable presence in the UK circuits. His early fights were primarily against journeyman opponents from and local contenders, allowing him to build experience in regional promotions across and . From 2011 to 2015, Cornish compiled an unbeaten record of 21 consecutive victories, 12 of which came by , showcasing his developing power and reach advantages in the division. Notable early wins included stoppages against opponents like Yavor Marinchev in 2012 and a points decision over experienced veteran in July 2013, highlighting his ability to dominate lesser-known fighters on domestic cards. Based out of , Cornish trained under local coaches while managed by Tommy Gilmour, with a deliberate emphasis on enhancing his prowess through strength and conditioning work tailored to his towering frame. This foundational streak solidified Cornish's reputation as Scotland's emerging heavyweight prospect, as he methodically climbed the ranks by facing progressively tougher opposition in UK-based events, setting the stage for higher-profile challenges without suffering a defeat in his initial four years as a .

Title pursuits

During his unbeaten professional streak, Gary Cornish pursued his first major title opportunity in May 2015, when he was selected to challenge for the vacant (IBO) Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship, marking him as the first Scottish heavyweight to contest an international . This bout positioned Cornish as Scotland's emerging contender for higher honors, including potential contention, building on his rapid rise in the domestic scene. On 23 May 2015, at the Bellahouston Leisure Centre in Glasgow, Cornish faced Hungarian veteran Zoltan Csala, who entered with an 8-1 record and held a world ranking approximately 50 places above the Scot. Leveraging his 6-foot-7-inch frame for superior reach, Cornish applied early pressure with jabs and combinations to control the distance, gradually breaking down Csala's defenses despite the opponent's resilience—Csala had never been stopped in his career prior to this fight. In the fourth round, Cornish unleashed a flurry of right hands that overwhelmed Csala, prompting the referee to halt the contest via technical knockout (TKO) at 0:47, securing the IBO Inter-Continental title in his 21st professional victory. This triumph elevated Cornish to the status of Scotland's premier , earning widespread respect within the division and opening doors to eliminators for major belts, such as his subsequent scheduled clash with English champion John McDermott for contention. As the first Scottish to claim a significant , the win underscored Cornish's potential on the global stage and intensified interest from promoters seeking top-tier matchups.

Cornish vs. Anthony Joshua

The pivotal matchup between Gary Cornish and occurred on 12 September 2015 at in , contesting the vacant title. As the holder of the IBO title, Cornish entered the bout with an undefeated professional record of 21-0 (12 KOs), positioning him as a significant against Joshua, the undefeated 2012 Olympic gold medalist and emerging British prospect. Cornish, a 28-year-old Scottish fighter standing at 6 ft 7 in, had taken five weeks off his job as a joiner to focus on preparation, expressing confidence in his ability to outbox or stop his opponent while aiming to claim the belt and become Scotland's first champion. The pre-fight hype centered on the contrast between Cornish's size and experience against Joshua's speed and power, with Cornish warning of his increasing punch output in the lead-up to the event. The fight began with Cornish using his long jab effectively in the opening seconds, but Joshua quickly countered after about 20 seconds with a sharp jab of his own. then unleashed a powerful right hook that dropped Cornish to the canvas for the first knockdown. Cornish rose to his feet but appeared unsteady, and followed with a barrage of punches that sent him down again moments later. Victor Loughlin waved off the contest at the 1:37 mark of the first round as pressed forward, awarding a technical knockout victory and the title. In the immediate aftermath, Cornish displayed by acknowledging Joshua's superiority, later reflecting in a 2016 interview that he felt "no shame in losing to a future world champion," emphasizing the inherent risks of heavyweight . No major injuries were reported for Cornish following the bout, allowing him to continue his career. Despite marking his first defeat and adjusting his record to 21-1, Cornish viewed the high-profile loss as valuable exposure that elevated his visibility in the sport.

British heavyweight title challenge

On October 6, 2017, Gary Cornish challenged for the vacant British heavyweight title against at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in , . The bout, scheduled for 12 rounds, saw Cornish enter with a record of 24-1 (13 KOs), having rebounded from his loss to with three victories. Despite Cornish's significant height advantage at 6'7" compared to Sexton's 6'2", the fight developed into a gritty, tactical affair marked by clinches and occasional rough exchanges. Cornish demonstrated resilience throughout, landing effective body shots in the mid-rounds to pressure Sexton, particularly in the fifth round where a brutal hook forced the Englishman to the ropes. Sexton recovered strongly, however, countering with flurries and outworking Cornish over the later rounds in a contest criticized for its dull pace and instances of fouling from the Scot. The judges scored the fight unanimously for Sexton: 116-113, 116-114, and 115-114, handing Cornish his second professional loss and dropping his record to 24-2 (13 KOs). In the lead-up to this title opportunity, Cornish rebuilt momentum with three victories in 2016 and 2017, including stoppage wins over Kamil Sokolowski in March 2016 and February 2017, and a decision over Tomas Mrazek in June 2016, positioning him as the . This challenge represented a historic bid for Cornish to become the first Scottish heavyweight to claim the British title, underscoring the relative underrepresentation of Scots in the division's elite ranks.

Retirement

Gary Cornish announced his retirement from professional boxing on 5 March 2019, at the age of 31, following a period of inactivity lasting more than a year since his last bout in January 2018. The decision came after the (BBBofC) revoked his license due to medical concerns arising from a routine brain scan. The scan revealed changes in his brain condition, prompting doctors to advise against any further head trauma to prevent potential long-term damage. Cornish had undergone two unsuccessful appeals against the BBBofC's decision, which ultimately forced the end of his in-ring career. At the time, he was actively preparing for a comeback, including sessions with top-ranked in and maintaining strong training form, which made the outcome particularly challenging. Cornish described the retirement as "devastating" and admitted to feeling "gutted," especially given his deep passion for the after over a decade of involvement and the "buzz" it provided. Despite the emotional toll, he reflected positively on his achievements, noting contentment with his journey while acknowledging the shift to a new chapter in life. As Scotland's leading contender in recent years, Cornish closed his career with a professional record of 25 wins and 2 losses, including 13 knockouts, having established himself as the top figure in the division despite his defeats.

Personal life

Family and residence

Cornish married his partner in July 2017, following a relationship that developed during his professional boxing career. The couple experienced a serious car accident on the A9 road near one week before their wedding, which involved both and underscored the personal challenges they faced together. The pair reside in , , where Cornish has maintained strong connections to his Highland origins despite the relocations required for his pursuits, including a period training in . This home base has provided stability in the years following his 2019 retirement from the sport.

Heritage and personal interests

Gary Cornish has consistently expressed a deep sense of Scottish pride throughout his boxing career, rooted in his upbringing in , the largest city in the . His nickname, "Highlander," directly reflects this regional identity, evoking the rugged heritage of northern and symbolizing his towering 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) frame as a representative of Highland resilience. This national allegiance is vividly embodied in a prominent tattoo across his chest reading "Alba gu bràth," a phrase translating to "," which he inked as a personal tribute to his cultural roots. The , often visible during weigh-ins and fights, underscores Cornish's commitment to Scottish symbolism. Beyond boxing, Cornish maintains a strong affinity for football, a passion that initially drew him to the sport as a means to enhance his physical conditioning while playing in the Highland League for Brora Rangers. Post-retirement, he has reflected on how these early football experiences shaped his discipline and work ethic, lessons that carried over from the pitch to the ring. Cornish's career has cemented his legacy as a trailblazer for northern Scottish s, becoming the first from to challenge for the British title in 2017 and inspiring a new generation of talent from the Highlands, where has historically been underrepresented. His achievements, including being the first Scot to claim an international belt in 2015, have elevated the visibility of regional fighters and encouraged local youth programs in .

Boxing record

Amateur record

Gary Cornish maintained an undefeated amateur record of 9–0 in the (+91 kg) division before turning professional in 2011. His limited number of bouts stemmed from challenges in securing suitable partners given his 6 ft 7 in frame, which restricted opportunities in Scottish ranks. Representing City Amateur Boxing Club, he achieved his most prominent success by capturing the Scottish Senior National Championships title in 2010. Detailed records for all nine victories are sparsely documented in public amateur boxing databases such as those maintained by Scottish Boxing and international amateur archives; full bout details beyond the national title run remain unavailable in accessible sources. The following table summarizes the known bouts from his national title run, which contributed three wins to his overall streak.
DateOpponentLocationResultRound/Notes
2010-02-27Shaun FinlayLasswadeWinRSC 3 (Quarter-final)
2010-03-05WinWO (Semi-final)
2010-03-26Michael McDonaghWin13:1 (Final; Scottish Champion)

Professional record

Gary Cornish's professional boxing career spanned from April 2011 to January 2018, encompassing 27 bouts in the division, where he maintained an throughout. He achieved 25 victories, including 13 stoppages, against 2 defeats, yielding a knockout ratio of approximately 52%. The following table details his complete professional record, structured in format. Dates and details have been verified and corrected against primary sources where discrepancies existed.
No.DateOpponentResultMethodRoundTitle(s)Location
12011-04-18Howard DaleyWTKO2/6, ,
22011-06-11Hastings RasaniWRTD3/4 Ballroom, ,
32011-09-11Rolandas CesnaWPTS4 Ballroom, ,
42011-12-02Hastings RasaniWTKO3/4Drumossie Hotel, ,
52012-01-21Remigijus ZiausysWPTS4Olympia, ,
62012-02-25Igoris BoruchaWPTS4Exhibition Centre, ,
72012-05-12Laszlo PeczeliWPTS4Drumossie Hotel, ,
82012-06-16Tayar MehmedWPTS4Bowlers Exhibition Centre, ,
92012-09-15Peter ErdosWPTS4The Ironworks, ,
102012-10-20Moses MatovuWPTS4, ,
112012-12-01Yavor MarinchevWTKO5/6Drumossie Hotel, ,
122013-01-26Tamas BajzathWTKO3/6, ,
132013-02-23Jakov GospicWPTS6Rainton Meadows Arena, ,
142013-03-23Humberto EvoraWRTD4/6, ,
152013-07-13Paul ButlinWPTS6The Ironworks, ,
162013-09-21Tomas MrazekWPTS6Hilton Hotel, ,
172013-11-30Ivica PerkovicWPTS6, ,
182014-04-12Hrvoje KisicekWPTS6, ,
192014-09-27Larry OlubamiwoWPTS6Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley,
202015-02-28Marino GolesWPTS10Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley,
212015-05-23Zoltan Csala**WTKO4/10Vacant IBO Inter-Continental Bellahouston Leisure Centre, ,
222015-09-12Anthony Joshua***LTKO1/12Vacant ; WBC International , Greenwich,
232016-03-19Kamil SokolowskiWPTS6 Ballroom, ,
242016-06-18Tomas MrazekWPTS6, ,
252017-02-25Kamil SokolowskiWPTS6Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley,
262017-10-06Sam Sexton****LPTS10Vacant British Meadowbank Sports Centre, ,
272018-01-26David HoweWTKO1/6, ,
Notes:
  • No. 1: Debut win by stoppage.
    ** No. 21: First Scottish heavyweight to win a regional title of this level.
    *** No. 22: Cornish's first professional loss; stopped after 97 seconds of round 1.
    **** No. 26: Second and final loss, in a title challenge.
All data sourced from BoxRec, the authoritative boxing records database.

References

  1. https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/boxing/story/_/id/13514274/history-scotland-gary-cornish-takes-anthony-joshua-o2
  2. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/[boxing](/page/Boxing)/gary-cornish-historic-title-win-5757979
  3. https://www.[bbc](/page/BBC).com/sport//32870296
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