BITTER rivals Daniel Dubois and Nathan Gorman are finally in agreement…..both insist that Andy Ruiz has the tools to give Anthony Joshua a hard night.
Roly-poly Ruiz challenges Joshua for his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles this weekend, with many writing him off.
Gorman (16-0, 11 KOs) has been stung by criticism of his own shape with Dubois (11-0, 10 KOs) who he faces for vacant British heavyweight title at The O2, London on Saturday July 13, poking fun at him.
But peace broke out when the pair gave verdicts on the big fight at Madison Square Garden.
Gorman who has been branded “slobby” by Dubois says: “Ruiz is a typical Mexican. He gets in close, roughs you up, throws body shots, hooks and is very fast-handed.
“I am gonna back Joshua, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there is an upset. It wouldn’t surprise me because Ruiz can fight.
“I like the way he and Joshua fight. In my opinion it is a much better fight than Joshua against Jarrell Miller, miles better.”
Dubois also believes Ruiz isn’t to be underestimated when he meets Joshua in New York on Saturday night.
“I think it’ll be a good fight. I think Ruiz will give all he has got. He has nothing to lose,” said the rapidly emerging knockout artist.
“Joshua is the defending champion and it’ll be good while it lasts. May the best man win.”
Whoever wins the brilliant Dubois v Gorman match which is live on BT Sport will be closing in on the world’s best, while the loser faces a rebuild job.
“My main concentration is Daniel, but in the next 12 to 18 months I can get there,” added Gorman who admits it is hard not to think of becoming world champion.
“Being a British heavyweight champion these days you are virtually on that world door, aren’t you?
“Britain has the best heavyweights in the world so it is the perfect era to be the British heavyweight champion.”
Tickets for ‘Heavy Duty’ featuring Daniel Dubois v Nathan Gorman for the vacant British Heavyweight Title, plus Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce v Bryant Jennings are on sale now. The show also features British Middleweight Champion Liam Williams, super flyweight sensation Sunny Edwards and super featherweight contender Archie Sharp. Also returning after an impressive debut is Kent bantamweight Dennis McCann. Hamza Sheeraz, Mark Chamberlain, Jake Pettitt, Louie Lynn, Mickey Burke Jr and Florian Marku add to an exciting line up and tickets are available 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
