NATHAN GORMAN INSISTS that he is about to seize top billing from Daniel Dubois when the young heavyweights collide at the o2 Arena on July 13.
Gorman believes Dubois is the promotional poster boy for Frank Warren’s organisation, the chosen one tipped to reach the pinnacle of the heavyweight pecking order.
Well, Gorman intends to turn the ‘Heavy Duty’ blockbuster into an episode of Trading Places by knocking the golden boy off his promotional perch.
“Of course he is,” responded 16-0 Gorman to the question of Dubois being the young heavyweight face of the company.
“Listen, he is big, he’s got a nice big six-pack. I haven’t, so he looks good in photos. When I knock him off the perch I will take it from there and I will be No.1, I will be the golden goose.
“Until then I am happy to be the underdog, which I would imagine I will be.”
So why does the unbeaten and more experienced Gorman consider himself to be the outsider in the betting?
“People just write me off, they look at the way he is built and think ‘he looks handy’,” he explained. “If it was a bodybuilding competition he would win Mr Olympia, but it is isn’t. It is fighting and one thing I can do is fight.”
Gorman went on to totally reject the suggestion that the resume of Dubois is stronger than that of his own in terms of opposition, while taking a swipe over the credentials of the Londoner’s last opponent, Richard Lartey.
“How has he? Who has he fought? No disrespect, I fought Kevin Johnson, I fought Cojanu, so we have basically fought comparable opponents.
“You can’t go off Lartey, his last opponent, who I think had to dye his beard to cover up his grey hair!”
Strictly Come Boxing For Dubois
DANIEL DUBOIS IS well aware that he has been viewed as the silent partner when it came to calling out for a fight against Nathan Gorman.
Gorman has been vocal in expressing a desire for the fight pretty much since his former Team GB teammate and rival burst onto the professional scene, notched up 10 KOs from his 11 fights and won five title belts along the way.
Dubois, with his typical reserve, has kept his counsel, got on with his job and bashed up everyone who has been put in front of him.
That is not to say he did not want the fight and he has proved as much by signing up for a shot at the British heavyweight title against Gorman at the o2 Arena on July 13.
Dubois is ready to dance and firmly believes it will be him calling the tune when the two top young heavies meet under the lights in London.
“We’re fighters and we need each other, we need dance partners,” reflected the 21-year-old. “This is the next one so let’s get it on.”
It was thought this spicy showdown wouldn’t come about until much later in the year, especially when Dubois was put forward to fight Joe Joyce for the Lonsdale belt.
Joyce is now attending to alternative business and Dubois certainly has no issue with it being brought forward.
“Yes, very happy,” he stated. “I think it is just right and the right fight to make. It is perfect for my style and I want to get it on, I really want to get this fight on and I am looking forward to it.
“It is exciting for me and, with the mood I am going to be in on fight night, I can’t wait.”
MAN CITY MAD HATTON WANTS GORMAN WIN TO COMPLETE QUADRUPLE
BRITISH BOXING ICON Ricky Hatton saw his beloved Manchester City complete a domestic treble this past Saturday as they cruised to a 6-0 win against Watford at Wembley Stadium. The win added to the Premier League and League Cup trophies that City had scooped in 2019.
City were on course to win 4 trophies until they bowed out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
Hatton, who fought Juan Lazcano at Manchester City’s ‘City of Manchester’ stadium in 2008 admits he was hoping to see his team win four trophies this year.
Now the trainer of British Heavyweight Title challenger Nathan Gorman, the ‘Hitman’ is looking for a Gorman win over Daniel Dubois on July 13 at The O2, London to make up for it.
“As a City fan I was hoping we could do the Quadruple this year. We’ve won the League, the League Cup, and now the FA Cup” said Hatton.
“There was obviously no Champions League but in my head when Nathan wins the British Title it will make up for it and I’ll get my Quadruple.”
Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce are on sale now via AXS.com, Eventim and Ticketmaster and are priced as below:
£300 – (Hospitality)
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Tier/Floor
£75 – Floor/Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier