THERE has always been something wonderfully compelling about a domestic heavyweight tear up. They are fights that have established a place and tradition all their own, providing spills and thrills while spawning some of the sport’s most memorable and bitter rivalries.

Tonight sees Daniel DuBois and Nathan Gorman keep the tradition alive in a fight that has all the makings of a barnstormer. Both will be meeting in the centre of ring at London’s O2 armed with undefeated records, both know one another well from their amateur days and there is a healthy sprinkling of bad feeling to ensure that in addition to the vacant British title, pride is on the line.

At just 21 and 23 respectively, huge credit devolves to both men and their camps for being willing to take such a competitive fight at this stage of their careers. It also bodes well for the sport; evidence that it has begun to evolve beyond the era of treating undefeated records as precious as the crown jewels, and protected accordingly.