Boxing experts give their predictions for Daniel Dubois vs Nathan Gorman
Unbeaten British heavyweights Nathan Gorman (16-0, 11KOs) and Daniel Dubois (11-0, 10KOs) will fight for the vacant British heavyweight title on what will be a huge night of boxing at The O2, London on Saturday, July 13, live and exclusive on BT Sport. The card will also feature unbeaten Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce MBE, who was originally mandated for the Lonsdale belt, but has decided to pursue another fight instead of face 'DDD'.
Just 21 and 22 respectively, Dubois and Gorman are recognised as two of the top young heavyweights in British boxing and the pair will now put their perfect professional records on the line for the biggest prize in British boxing.
In a fight that bucks the trend of unbeaten boxers avoiding each other, BBN ask their panel of experts for their take on who wins:
Ryan Walsh
British featherweight champion
"I think Gorman is the more rounded boxer, although just for size, power and youth I’m going with Dubois by KO.
Great fight and good to see, let’s hope this starts a trend in the other divisions."
Jack Bradley
BBN Writer
"Up until Daniel Dubois blasted Cojanu out in two rounds before beating Richard Lartey in a bit of a tear-up, I had Nathan Gorman winning a potential fight between the two.
Now, I think it would be understandable to favour Dubois slightly, simply because of his ferocious power and how seems to be maturing quickly with each fight. He clearly backs his chin too, as shown in the Lartey fight, so he might just take a few risks to get to Gorman and try and stop him.
Gorman did not have the amateur career that Dubois can say he had, but he’s good technically and he’s tricky with deceptive power. He’s had injuries to deal with over the last year which means that we probably haven’t seen the best of him since his convincing win over Sean Turner.
It looks a real pick ‘em now, but I’m going to stick with Gorman on this one. He needs watch out for Dubois setting up his huge shots off the back of his thumping jab, but I think he has the skills. If Gorman has a good camp, which he should do with plenty of notice for this fight, then I think he will be too sharp."
Steve Wood
Promoter at VIP Promotions
"We all thought Joyce v Dubois was too good to be true, but this is not a bad substitution.
I know Team Gorman believe this is made for them but after the last fight Dubois has shown a pair of whiskers and that he could swallow one, we all know he can punch already so I see him Gorman getting in front on the scorecards with his movement, but Dubois coming from behind to get a KO win down the stretch when both get tired and it becomes a fight."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"Absolutely cracking fight!
I really couldn’t tell you who’s going to win but I think I’d know how. I think if Gorman can stay long and disciplined then he can out box Dubois and get a late stoppage or points win when he’s tired, however if Dubois can pull him into a fight then I think his inside technique can get him a points win, either that or DDD bangs him out after beating him up in three!!"
Johnny Edwards
Head Coach at Guildford City Gym
"What a fight and about time! I’ve been watching both these boxers with interest and my prediction is Nathan Gorman to win on points or possibly a KO in round 10.
He will be too quick and smart for Daniel, he carries a good punch as well and he will give Daniel no respect.
It'll be interesting to see what both these fighters have in the later rounds when they get tired, but Gorman will be the new British heavyweight champion."
Betting Odds
Daniel Dubois to win: 4/11 888Sport
Nathan Gorman to win: 15/8 888Sport
Draw: 25/1 888Sport
Ryan Clark
Co-Founder of Buy My Fight
“This is a decent domestic clash. Dubois has great potential especially being so young, and Gorman, for me has always been a bit hot and cold. He’s shown glimpses of class on some occasions and then seemingly sluggish on others.
I think this will be a technical chess game, with a Gorman win on points but only on the premise that this fight is a big enough prize to spur on the better version of Gorman.”
Joe Neale
Boxing Matchmaker / PR
"It’s a pick’em fight, Gorman seems to be the more fluid boxer but Dubois has a great jab and much better punch power.
They have fought a couple of same opponents and Dubois, for me, has performed better.
I think Dubois is just going to edge Gorman on a close points decision."
Miles Shinkwin
Former English light-heavyweight champion
"I’ve watched Nathan train and spar, he’s very very good with extremely fast hands for a big man. Until you stand next to him you don’t realise how big he is.
Daniel obviously has height and reach on him still and probably the bigger puncher but with his shot selection and variety I think Nathan can wear Daniel down and stop him in the second half as long as he doesn’t take too many big shots clean in the first six."
Mark Tibbs
Boxing Trainer to Dillian Whyte and Charlie Duffield
"I like Gorman’s styles, he flows, there’s creative variety, he’s a natural, but I question his power at this stage in his career.
Dubous is upright, pretty straight sharp lines and heavy handed, and in his last fight he fought fire with fire instantaneously, got clipped in the process but handled it very well.
There’s domestic pressure factor here, so it's interesting to see who handles it best. The composure could decide the winner, good fight but Dubois wins for me."
Mick Kane
Boxing Writer
"Dubois v Gorman is a great fight for the British heavyweight scene. Both guys are similar age and undefeated, it's a 50/50 fight.
In their last performances, Gorman looked a bit sluggish while Dubois, although he won by stoppage, showed he can be hit.
Both of them have a taste of winning titles with Gorman picking up the Central Area and WBC International Silver title while Dubois has won the Southern Area, English and WBO European titles.
For me, it's a close one to call however my gut instinct is saying Dubois by stoppage. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Gorman takes the win."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"Both great British fighters with bundles of potential, and to think they are just 21 and 22 still! It's so exciting to think of the fights either of these could be in throughout their careers, this being the first big one of many.
I know that Gorman can do many things very will and you could argue he is the more naturally gifted, complete fighter of the two. His punch selection and variety is very effective, he paws with the jab to line up crunching uppercuts and always throws punches in bunches with good speed for a big guy. He has a wicked body shot that he can whip in from nowhere as well.
However, for me, Dubois' killer instinct is the deciding factor for this heavyweight fght. His awesome power, ability to finish fights, and just sheer desire to hurt and KO his opponents is what I will be picking over the pure skills of Gorman.
I think Dubois wins by KO after he forces the more intelligent, ring savvy boxer to engage with him, maybe aroud round six or seven. If it goes past that stage then it will seem the heavy shots that 'DDD' will inevitably have landed by then will not be enough to take Gorman out and the Ricky Hatton protege will win on points if it goes past the middle rounds."
Aqib Tahlat
BBN Writer
"Another great heavyweight fight; I do think this will be tight a fight to call.
However, I believe Daniel Dubios will just edge this one. He’s improving every fight and is getting stronger the more times I see him perform.
Gorman will have moments in the fight but it’s whether he will capitalise on them, if not then Dubios will punish.
I'll go with Dubios stopping him in the 8-10 rounds."
Erol Ceylan
German Promoter
"It's a great fight!
This is similar to the Chisora vs Fury fight. I think if it ends early then Dubois will win, but if it goes the full distance then Gorman will be the winner.
Dubois' only chance to win is KO Gorman."
Mick Gordan
Ring Announcer
"I think it’s going to be a very interesting bout and Gorman may be being a little overconfident in his view that Dubois will be dispatched within the distance.
I certainly think that Gorman’s experience will give him an edge, but Dubois is a very powerful hitter.
It will be a close one but Gorman will probably take it – just."
Dean Bedford
Sports Agent
"A excellent fight this, and credit to both fighters for taking it.
I am going with a Dubois win, by TKO!
Gorman will try and box Dubois, but I think Dubois can get most into a scrap and his heavy hands and accuracy will be key!
Really looking forward to the fight!"
Voting
Daniel Dubois to win: 60%
Nathan Gorman to win: 40%