DAZZLING displays from a trio of Inverness boxers made the first professional show to be staged in the Highland capital a storming success.

The Drumossie Hotel was the sell-out venue on Friday for an unforgettable evening of first-class boxing where Inverness City head coach Laurie Redfern and top promoter Tommy Gilmour, in association with the Caley Thistle Supporters Trust, brought this historic occasion to an audience keen for drama.

Such was the appetite for a show like this that talks will begin soon to try and pencil in a second pro show next summer, plus another before Christmas 2012.

Topping the bill was heavyweight sensation Gary Cornish (24), who creates a stir at local and national level every time he performs. Including amateur fights, this was only his 13th fight and he came head-to-head with Zimbabwe's Hastings Rasani, who he beat in Aberdeen earlier this year.

Redfern last week said that the contest going eight rounds would be a positive for his six-foot seven-inch battler and that's what happened, but the Highlander was rarely in danger and in control for much of this gripping encounter.

Redfern said: "Gary sailed through this and this will have been another fantastic learning experience for him. Rasani caught him a couple of times, but Gary came right back and delivered with another terrific performance. Rasani actually said to him afterwards 'no more', twice was enough for him.

"We're thrilled by the progress he's making and he's now go into a televised fight next year in Aberdeen, on Lee McAllister's undercard once more. Tommy wants as many people as possible to see Gary in action, so getting him a fight on TV now is ideal.

"He's probably got the least experience out of any of the (Scottish) heavyweight division, yet his progress and been simply brilliant."

Given Cornish's opponent had just drawn with European champion, Poland's Albert Sosnowski, this was another telling message that Cornish means business.

Cruiserweight Andrew Young from Inverness, three-times Scottish Amateur heavyweight champion, set the tone for what was to follow as he took on Lithuania's Remantas Seniunas.

Young (30), Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner in 2002, recovered from a bruised foot last week to storm to victory in the second round.

His coach was delighted and wants him back in the ring again in the New Year.

He said: "Andrew done exactly what I asked him to do and I am delighted for him. Although his opponent was the same weight, we were confident Andrew could stop him and he hit him in the first round with some strong body shots.

"This was just the right type of fight for him to make a return and we're looking at getting him a fight perhaps as soon as January at the St Andrews Sporting Club in Glasgow, although I wouldn't rule him out of appearing at Aberdeen next year either."

And the famous St Andrews Club will be keen to see one of its star performers of the year, Inverness welterweight Jasper Chisholm return to Glasgow after he reeled off a winning performance in front of his home crowd against Ayrshire's Mark Bett.

Having won his only pro fight to land a boxer-of-the-month at the St Andrews Club in June, the 28-year-old backed it up with this victory on points.

Redfern said: "Jasper is a genuine crowd-pleaser and he didn't let them down. He wobbled just a wee bit after a big punch early on, but he took the shot well and bounced right back. He always gets better as the contests go on and he ran out a comfortable winner in the end, it was a very good win and I'm sure we'll try and get him back to the St Andrews Club where they're keen to see him fight after that debut victory there."

So overall, billed as the "Highland Awakening", this gripping, pulsating fight night will have sent shockwaves far beyond the region.

Redfern added: "The crowd were ecstatic - they loved it and I think it showed the appetite is there for maybe having two pro shows in Inverness each year.

"We'd be looking at having one before Christmas and we're keen to work one into the summer at some point.

"After everyone had eaten their dinner, we had the pipers playing before the fights and it could not have gone any better - it was a special night; hopefully the first of many."