Nathan Gorman: There will be no excuses if I lose to Daniel Dubois
richard@slpmedia.co.uk Nathan Gorman says there will be no excuses if he comes up short against Daniel Dubois – with the top young British heavyweights clashing tomorrow night.
Greenwich’s Dubois has the plus of being on home turf at The 02 as the two men challenge for the vacant domestic title. Between the two undefeated prospects they have 27 victories.
The South Londoner has only gone the distance against seasoned survivor Kevin Johnson. But Nantwich’s Gorman, who boasts a 16-0 record, is unfazed by facing the concussive-hitting Dubois.
That’s maybe no surprise as the 23-year-old is from travelling stock. He claims that his great great grandad and great grandad were bare-knuckle fighters.
Dubois is younger, taller, has a longer reach but has boxed less than half as many rounds as Gorman.
Asked if he has ever been intimidated by another boxer, Gorman told the South London Press: “Not at all. I don’t get too bothered. The way I look at things is that if you are afraid, then why be in boxing? He bleeds exactly the same way as anyone else and is made of flesh and bone – that puts things into perspective. What he could do to me, I could do to him.
“I’m relaxed on fight night. But that’s the way I’m inclined, I take everything in my stride. The point at which I get revved up is when the hand tape comes out and they start wrapping my hands – because then I know for a certain fact it is 100 per cent on.~
“Before that you never know in boxing – weirder things have happened [that a bout has been a last-minute cancellation].
“I’ll have my music on in the background. I like a lot of 80s music – not any rapping or grind.”
Gorman’s musical tastes might be lodged in the past but either he or Dubois are going to push their case for being the future of the division on Saturday night.
It is still relatively rare for rising talents to clash like this, but neither was prepared to back down in settling who is the superior fighter.
“Both of us are ambitious people and we’re under the same promotional banner,” said Gorman. “The British title is, in my opinion, the best belt in boxing.
“It is prestigious. Look at the people who have won this belt before – it is fantastic to box for that type of thing and be headlining your own show at 23 years of age.
“Fighting Daniel was a no-brainer. The winner is six months in front of the loser – if not 12 months.
“The winner is going to progress quicker. I want to be tested, to push myself.
“It’s been the best camp I have ever had. I have got no excuses whatsoever. I have got no injuries, every spar has been sparred and every run has been run.
“I’ll walk out there on July 13 knowing, hand on heart, that I’m in the best physical condition I can be in. He will be fighting the best Nathan Gorman. Win, lose or draw I know I have done all the hard work.
“The fact he is boxing where he lives means nothing. He could be boxing in my back garden or the 02 – a fight is a fight, a crowd a crowd and an arena is an arena. You’ve still got to get in there and do the business.
“I’m expecting to go through hell and back. If that comes, then it comes. Whatever he brings, I’ve got an answer for. All the training and preparation I have done will reveal itself on Saturday night.
“He is a good fighter. He wouldn’t be in line for the British title if he wasn’t any good. But we’ll have to wait and see if I can unveil the hype job.”
Croydon super-flyweight Sunny Edwards (11-0) faces Hiram Gallardo for the vacant IBF international title.
Welling super-featherweight Archie Sharp (15-0) puts his WBO European belt on the line against Jordan McCorry.
Sydenham heavyweight Jonathan Palata (5-0) takes on experienced Hungarian journeyman Ferenc Zsalek.
The Dubois-Gorman show is live on BT Sport. Tickets (£40-£300) are available via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster.