KEITH Knox, the Bonnyrigg flyweight, has taken a leaf out of the late Jock Wallace's book as he prepares for his challenge for the Commonwealth championship next Monday night.
Knox meets the champion, Alfonso Zvenyika, of Zimbabwe, at the St Andrew's Sporting Club in Glasgow and included in his training schedule have been runs among the sand dunes at Gullane.
In his time as manager of Rangers, Wallace put his players through the same punishing exercise in their pre-season preparations.
Said Knox, who will be bidding to succeed where stablemate Paul Weir failed in January: ''I've been working out on Murder Hill at Gullane and I'm fitter than at any stage in my career.''
Zvenyika, sporting a tartan bonnet, flew into Glasgow yesterday and came face-to-face with Knox.
''I respect Keith Knox, but I'm even more confident of beating him than I was of beating Paul Weir,'' he said.
''Being champion gives you extra confidence. When I was here last time I didn't know anything about Paul.
''This time I've been looking at videos of Keith in action and I'm sure I will keep my title. I won't predict a stoppage - any kind of win will do.
''After I won the title my life-style improved, so, in a way, I'm fighting for my life.''
Zvenyika, who has a big advantage in height over the Scot, said that he had no hesitation in coming back to Glasgow. He said: ''Everyone was so kind and friendly the last time, even although I stopped the local man in the eleventh round.
''In fact, I feel like Glasgow is a second home to me.
''Because Zimbabwe doesn't have a team in the World Cup finals next month, I will be cheering for Scotland.''
When asked why he thought he would succeed where Weir had failed, Knox said: ''Alfonso says he respects me, but after beating a former world champion he must think he's fighting a nobody.
''Paul's work-rate is not as good as mine and I'll have Alfonso under pressure throughout.''
Promoter Tommy Gilmour revealed that because there is no live television for the championship, the boxers' purses were being paid by the Forte Posthouse Hotel as part of their twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations. ''It's a fantastic gesture,'' he said.
''Keith's career has been dogged by bad luck, but if anyone deserves to win a professional championship he does.
''I'll be thrilled for him if he does the business on Monday.''
Londoner Richie Davis has been appointed to referee the fight.
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