A Fighting Profile: Nathan Gorman

A Fighting Profile: Nathan Gorman

By Will Lott

Tomorrow night at the O2, Nathan Gorman and Daniel Dubois will put their undefeated records on the line as they clash for the vacant British heavyweight title.

Gorman will enter the ring with an impressive 16-0 record, boasting 11 knockouts, including victories over former world title challengers Razvan Cojanu and Kevin Johnson.

Unlike Anthony Joshua, Gorman has never been described as ‘Adonis’ like. However, despite being Tyson Fury’s cousin, he is closer in build to current champion Andy Ruiz.

Gorman has since admitted to taking inspiration from Ruiz’s win over Joshua for the Saturday clash against his powerful opponent, when most will consider him an underdog.

Gorman has been blessed with fast hands and a high ring IQ. He maintains a fast work rate whilst being able to move in and out of range at will, staying out of danger. Mixed with power, Gorman has continued to rise up the rankings with relative ease including the first round knockout of tough journeyman David Howe in just his sixth fight and later comprehensively defeating Irishman Sean Turner in three rounds.

To date Gorman and Dubois have shared two opponents on their records. Romanian Razvan Cojanu and gatekeeper Kevin Johnson. Gorman’s most impressive victory remains a comprehensive ten round decision victory over Cojanu.

Having stepped in the ring with two of the best in the world in Luiz Ortiz and Joseph Parker, Cojanu was expected to provide a serious challenge to the young heavyweight. However, the Romanian couldn’t get to grips with the intelligent, fast moving Gorman as he cruised to a unanimous decision. This result would later be ‘bettered’ by Dubois who stopped Cojanu in the second round.

Most recently, Gorman danced around Kevin Johnson for ten rounds winning every round comfortably. Gorman again was too fast and strong for the aging American. Johnson has shared the ring with Joshua, Wladimir Klitschko and most recently Dubois, but has become more of a benchmark target to propel fighters above the domestic scene. Dubois had previously comfortably beaten Johnson over ten rounds as well.

With a strong jab, strong combinations and a high ring IQ, Gorman is sure to pose all sorts of problems for Dubois Saturday night.

With both fighters confident of pulling off the win with some bad blood between them, it is sure to be a great night of action.

The winner will be launched onto the international stage. The loser will have to rebuild but it will certainly not be career ending. It is great to see two young fighters prepared to put their ‘0’ on the line at such an early stage in their career and both deserve to be commended for taking the fight.