By Terence Dooley

Nantwich’s Nathan Gorman (14-0, 11 KOs) meets Alex Leapai (32-7-4, 26 early) in a defence of his WBC International Silver heavyweight belt on December 22 and the 22-year-old hopes that a win could help pave the way to a big domestic showdown against London-based rival Daniel Dubois (9-0, 8 stoppages).

The BBBoC mandated a British title eliminator between the two last week, with the winner to face holder Hughie Fury, and Gorman believes that he is keener on the fight than the 21-year-old prospect. 

Both men are handled by Frank Warren so should the fight not come to pass Gorman feels that the blame should be placed on Dubois’s toes.

“That's the fight I want.  I would never pull out of a fight against Daniel.  It's up to him.  The ball is in his court,” he said when speaking to Matt Bozeat of The Sentinel (Stoke). 

“If he doesn't take the fight, he obviously doesn't want to fight me for some reason.  He's had a lot more amateur experience than me, so he should be ready for the fight.”

However, the heavyweight contender is adamant that he will not take his eye off the prize when he meets the Australia-based Leapai on the undercard of Josh Warrington’s IBF featherweight title defence against Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena.

“Only fighters from the top tier beat him,” he said.  “He was beaten by Wladimir Klitschko for the world title, but at the time, he was destroying everyone.  I've watched a fair bit of Leapai over the years and I really do think I'm all wrong for him with my fast fists and feet, my punches in bunches.”

He added: “Leapai is going to come forward looking to take my head off.  That suits me.  I like fighters who come to me.  My style of boxing is to make them miss — and then make them pay.”

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