GARY CORNISH, the Inverness heavyweight, begins the healing process this evening when he returns to the ring at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom following an absence of six months.

Great things were expected of the 28-year-old, who his manager, Tommy Gilmour believed was capable of delivering championship belts in a weight division previously unconquered by a Scot.

But Cornish’s decision to accept a fight with Anthony Joshua, the decorated London Olympian, last September for the vacant Commonwealth title – much against his manager’s wishes, it must be said – ultimately proved a step too far in the boxer’s development.

While Cornish had acquired something of a reputation on the back of an unbroken run of 21 victories as a professional, he had not campaigned previously at such a level, and Gilmour’s worst fears were realised when his gold medal-winning opponent blew him away in just 97 seconds.

Gilmour resisted any temptation to say “I told you so”, preferring instead to praise Cornish for his bravery in picking himself up off the canvas to at least try and make a go of it at London’s O2 Arena.

But the veteran Glasgow promoter suspects that Cornish will be more inclined to follow his advice in future, provided, of course, the 6’ 7” ring giant does not encounter any fresh problems when he confronts Kamil Sokolowski, from Poland.

“Gary cannot afford any mistakes whatsoever. He has to win and win well,” warned Gilmour. “But I certainly haven’t lost faith in him. I believe he is capable of bouncing back, and, more importantly, so does he.

“Funnily enough, despite his early stoppage, Gary came out of the Joshua fight with some credibility. Joshua has so far destroyed everyone in his path and is being viewed as a superstar, but despite taking one on the chin, Gary pickled himself up and steamed back in and hurt Joshua.

“But it was a case of Joshua hurting Gary more and wanting to get it over and done with as quickly as possible because he viewed Cornish as a risk the longer the fight went.

“It’s no secret that I wanted him to wait another two or three fights before he stepped up to that level, in the belief he would be better prepared, but it was his decision at the end of the day.

“Now, if all goes well against Sokolowski, he’ll have another couple of fights before he starts chasing titles again. But he needs to regroup first.”

The boxers’ respective records would suggest that it should be a formality for Cornish, given that he has won 21 of his 22 bouts while his opponent has one only one of his six contests.

But Gilmour pointed out: “Sokolowski went the distance with Sam Sexton before losing on points, and Sexton has fought for the British and Commonwealth titles and that’s a good benchmark.”

The Good Friday bill also features local featherweight Darren Traynor, 29, coming off the back off a first career defeat in 12 when he lost to Ryan Walsh in a British title bout at London’s York Hall in January.