By Terence Dooley
 
Anthony Joshua had to shoulder today’s press conference for his showdown with Gary Cornish for the vacant heavyweight Commonwealth title as his Scotland-based co-challenger failed to show up due to a delayed flight. The fight takes place on an Eddie Hearn-promoted bill at London's O2 on September 2nd.
 
Joshua (13-0, 13KOs) showed a flair for promotion by talking up the other fights on the bill in Cornish’s absence while Tommy Gilmour, his manager, issued a few missives on the behalf of his missing fighter, who is 21-0 (12KOs).
 
“The guys beside me on the table have great fans, I’m expecting it to be lively,” stated Joshua. “This fight will build and will be explosive.”
 
“Gary has ambition and he wanted this fight with Anthony,” stated Gilmour. “Two undefeated prospects clashing is what boxing is all about.  Gary wants to test himself to the very limit.  Getting the chance to fight for the Commonwealth (belt) is major for him.”
 
“There is no turning back now,” added Joshua. “I gave myself three years to iron out flaws (after turning professional following the 2012 Olympic Games)—I'm ahead of schedule. It is title fights all the way from now on. 
 
“I'll have a 9-10 week camp. I need a live opponent, someone who is going to deliver. We both have the confidence to win the fight and that will bring out the best in me—I hope Gary’s fans travel down as I love the Scottish fans. Someone’s 0 is going to go.”
 
Cornish turned up just in time for the head-to-head shots and individual interviews; let’s just hope he turns up and performs well on the night as Joshua has hammered his last four foes in a combined total of eight rounds.
 
“Manchester on Saturday had everything,” said Sky Sports’ Head of Boxing Adam Smith, also on the top table. “It’s a terrific venue and the atmosphere was fantastic. This the right fight for Anthony. We feel Joshua is destined for the top of the sport.
 
“It’s a great undercard and I’m excited to see Dave Ryan against John Hibbert again. The last one was a fight of the year candidate.”
 
Ryan (17-8, 4 KOs) and Hibbert (15-3, 9KOs) will meet for the third time. 
 
Fans will hope it is as dramatic as their May 30th showdown at the same venue. Ryan rose from the canvas twice to outlast Hibbert in that one and earn a ninth-round TKO win—he also posted a decision win over his light-welterweight rival in March 2013.
 
“Ryan has to let me win this one, he’s won the past two!” joked Hibbert. “It was a brilliant fight—I’m not making any excuses.  I ran out of steam towards the end and Dave capitalized on it. It’s a must win fight for me on Sept 12.”
 
“I’ve been working hard in the gym,” answered Ryan, who had a warning for his rival. “It’s a mistake John wanting this again—it will have the same outcome. Bring it on.”
 
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