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Ice-cool Dan to turn up the heat

BATTLE OF THE BEST: Daniel Dubois’ July 13 meeting with former Team GB teammate Nathan Gorman promises to be the biggest test so far for these rising heavyweight stars

DANIEL DUBOIS chose not to rise to the bait when his July 13 opponent Nathan Gorman claimed he did not come off second best in any of the 200 to 300 rounds the pair sparred in during their Team GB days in Sheffield.

The top two young heavies in the business collide with the British title at stake at the O2 Arena on what is anticipated to be a thrilling night of heavy - weight action, with Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce also featuring on the card.

ATTEMPT
Despite the fact they are former teammates, Dubois and Gorman make no attempt to conceal a simmering contempt for each other, but the claim from the Nantwich-based 22-year-old over being the dominant force during their amateur days was met with a nonchalant sneer from the 21-year-old Londoner.

“It means nothing – that statement can go to the wind,” scoffed the 11-0 Dubois, the executor of 10 KOs as a pro. “If that is what he thinks, fine. He can think whatever he wants.

“I know what I’ve got to do and I know the mood I will get to closer to the fight. I will be ready. I am in this business to make a name for myself and win whatever titles they throw at me. These are guys I’ve got to come through and I will do it. I am pretty cold-blooded, so this is just me, this is the hurt business and I enjoy it.”

With the build-up to the big night well and truly under way, Dubois insists his customary cool will be retained, but he does concede this fight stirs up a little more emotion than the others.

RELAXED
“At the moment I am kind of relaxed about it all and I have an idea in my head about how the fight is going to go down. In fact, I am sure about it,” he said.

“Every fight does excite me, this one maybe so a little bit more. It depends on my mood, I can’t really say so myself sometimes, but I am feeling really good and I feel confident for this one.

“I am ready to get it on.”

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