The traditional path to a world title for fighters from the United Kingdom entails winning the British, Commonwealth and European belts before going for the big prize.
England's Anthony Joshua, the 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist and boxing's No. 1 heavyweight prospect, is embarking on that path.
Joshua (13-0, 13 KOs), coming off a two-round demolition of former world title challenger and usually durable Kevin Johnson in May, will take on Scotland's Gary Cornish (21-0, 12 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth title on Sept. 12 at the O2 Arena in London, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced at a news conference Monday.
"There's no turning back now," Joshua said. "I thought I would need three years to learn and make mistakes, so I am ahead of schedule. Gary won't just talk a good game like Kevin Johnson. He's undefeated and will bring it on the night because he's got confidence of an unbeaten fighter and he'll bring the best out of me, and I'll do the same for him.
"The date has given me a chance to recover my body from May 30 and have a nice long camp for Sept. 12, so I expect to be at my explosive best on the night. Gary brings the Scottish crowd, who are unbelievable, and I hope they travel down as it's going to be a great night."
Said Hearn: "It's two unbeaten heavyweights, and an Englishman versus Scotsman, so this is going to be a great build-up.
"As Anthony said, Gary won't just talk about fighting and run. Gary believes that this is a 50-50 fight, and I expect him to approach the night accordingly, and he's going to bring passionate fans down with him."
Since turning pro in October 2013, Joshua, 25, has not been challenged, knocking out all of his opponents inside three rounds.
Cornish, 28, a pro since 2011, also owns a glossy record, but he has yet to face a serious opponent. However, he is confident going into the bout with Joshua.
"I'm very hungry for this fight," Cornish said. "We've both beaten what has been put in front of us, no more, no less. My KO record is building because I've found my power now and I know I will cause him more problems than everyone else he's boxed, combined. We're a step up in class for each other. I know that I am the underdog, but I would not be here if I didn't believe I could beat him and beat him convincingly.
"If I wanted to fight him for the money, I would wait until next year when I would be 26-0 and the fight might be for more than one belt. I am ready now and I'll prove it on Sept. 12. I know what I have to do. I am not looking forward to the camp because I know how hard I have to work to be ready for this fight, but I will put that work in and more because that's the only way I know how to train."
Should Joshua win, he is already slated to face Dillian Whyte (14-0, 11 KOs) for the vacant British title in November or December, according to Hearn. Whyte, who owns an amateur win against Joshua, will get ready for that fight with an eight-round bout against an opponent to be determined on the Joshua-Cornish undercard.
Cornish is hoping to derail Joshua-Whyte.
"I could've found Gary 20 more wins no problem, but he wanted this fight and he's so excited," said Tommy Gilmour, Cornish's promoter. "Gary has been accused sometimes of fighting patsies but it's never been the case. Because the way he goes about his job, he has made them look ordinary.
"Yes, it would be an upset, but Gary has never lost. He doesn't know what it feels like to lose, and he doesn't want to. If Anthony doesn't KO Gary inside one or two rounds then people will ask questions of him. All the pressure is on him, but don't underestimate Gary."