Things you didn't know Nathan Gorman next opponent Tomas Salek
Nathan Gorman (18-1, 12KO) returns to the ring for the first time in 15 months on June 17 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool against Czech heavyweight champion Tomas Salek (17-3, 13KO), in an event promoted by Wasserman Boxing live on Channel 5. The heavyweights will clash for the vacant IBF International title, formerly held by unbeaten Croation Filip Hrgovic.
It's the Czech fighter's second appearance in the UK so not much is known about Gorman's opponent, so BBN have listed a few interesting facts below to get to know the away fighter ahead of this Friday's fight night:
Tomas Salek was born in Neratovice in 1999.
Tomas is currently 23 from Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic, which is the same place professional footballer Tomas Cerny came from, who played as a goalkeeper in the Scottish Premier League.
As an amateur, he was a Czech national senior champ at 201+ pounds in 2016. He took part in the 2015 European Youth (Under-19) Championships at 201+ pounds, and was a quarter-finalist in the 2016 European Youth (Under-19) Championships, 201+ pounds.
He fought Daniel Dubois in the amateurs at the age of 16 in 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany. The super-heavyweight sensation from Greenwich stopped Salek in round two of three.
He won his professional debut in April 2017 in Germany via TKO3. He went on to win his first six bouts by knockout.
He is trained by Lukas Konecny, who was a WBO World interim super-welterweight champion in 2012.
He challenged for the Czech heavyweight title in his 10th contest, but lost on points to Pavel Sour, who Nathan Gorman defeated in his last fight (TKO2).
Salek's next title fight was for the WBC Youth World heavyweight title, which he lost after being downed twice in round six of eight by Peter Kadiru, a top amateur who is now the reigning German heavyweight champion, unbeaten in 13.
He challenged for the Czech national championship a second time and won by defeating unbeaten prospect Michal Reissinger by unanimous decision in 2021.
In his first and only defence, he avenged his previous loss to Pavel Sour with a close UD win. Despite being ring rivals, the pair are friends and share a mutual respect.
He has fought in the UK once before, last May 2021, against Kash Ali in Sheffield, losing in the third round of a scheduled 10-round IBF European heavyweight championship contest.
His teammates include light-heavyweight Stanley Bejk Eschner (14-17-1, 7KO); WBC World Female atomweight champion Fabiana Bytyqi (19-0-1, 5KO).
He has spent a week sparring with Otto Wallin in Magdeburg, Germany, in preparation for the Swede's fight with Tyson Fury in September 2019.
He has also provided sparring rounds to former long-reigning European champion and IBF #7 Agit Kabayel in Dusseldorf ahead of their seperate fights on the same card in April 2018.
He regularly takes part in an event called RunCzech, which is running race for anyone to take part in, a bit like the marathon, in his local area.
He also likes to swim and play badminton and snooker.
Salek is sponsored by Stratton Oakmont L.C., which is the brokerage house founded by 'The Wolf of Wall Street' Jordan Belfort.
Stats
Bouts: 20
Rounds: 82
Wins: 17
Losses: 3
Draws: 0
KOs: 13
KO Ratio: 65%
Height: 6′ 3½″
Quotes: “It is a big opportunity for me. This will be my second fight in the United Kingdom, and I truly want to show that I am now much stronger physically, but mostly, much stronger mentally. I want to come back to the Czech Republic with Gorman’s scalp!” Tomas Salek.
“I’m coming there to throw the kitchen sink at him and put on a really good display. I was due to fight on the Savannah Marshall show, but unfortunately, I came down with a bad illness. I believe things happen for a reason, and now I’m in a position to put on a good show with Channel 5. I’m just really looking forward to it.” Nathan Gorman.
Predictions: "Since his last defeat to Kash Ali, Salek has beaten an undefeated prospect to claim the Czech heavyweight title and then avenged a loss to his biggest rival Pavel Sour in his first defence, which is an impressive statement to make. Despite this, I fully expect Gorman to win within the first few rounds. If I have to be exact then there's no way this fight goes past six rounds, to be even more definitive then I am personally picking the second round for the stoppage." Tim Rickson, BBN Editor.
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