NATHAN GORMAN was consoled by cousin Tyson Fury after losing for the first time, and now plans for an inspirational comeback of his own.
Gorman lost his unbeaten record in 2019, as he was knocked out by former amateur sparring partner Daniel Dubois.
He bounced back in October, with a stylish points decision over ten rounds against experienced Ghanian Richard Lartey.
But it came after Gorman, 24, overcame his emotions following his first professional setback.
The heavyweight sought the advice of older sibling Fury, who vacated the titles in 2015 following a battle with depression and substance abuse.
But after finding his passion fighting passion again, within five years the Gypsy King capped off a remarkable turnaround and reigned as champ again.
And it was simply falling in love with boxing again which Fury, 32, advised his cousin to do on the road to recovery.
Gorman told SunSport: “Tyson’s inspired not just me, but millions of people around the world. It’s incredible really.
“I spoke to Tyson and the best thing he said to me was ‘get back to boxing’.
“That was his advice, get back in the ring and do what you most happy with. And that’s boxing. And I did and I’m doing it at the minute.
“To me, I look at it this way, as long as I’m enjoying myself, it doesn’t matter what anybody thinks of me.
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Gorman could only be praised as he rolled the dice and took on heavy-hitter Dubois in his 17th fight for the British title.
But the risk did not pay off, and the ex-Team GB squad member was left in a dark place afterwards following a barrage of stick from keyboard warriors.
Gorman said: “It was extremely hard.
“Especially nowadays, because you have social media and everything, and everyones voicing their opinions.
“I generally switch my phone off for about three months, didn’t even look at it.
“But when I did, there was some good comments, but out of 100, 30 or 40 were good, the rest was negative.
“They said, ‘You need to quit boxing, you’re c**p, you’re s*’, all this.
“Probably from people who have never been in a boxing ring or understand boxing.
“For me mentally it was very hard, but any boxer in the world will tell you, when you lose, it’s not like losing a game of football when your whole team loses, in boxing it’s you only.”
After a pep talk from WBC king Fury, and returning to winning ways, Gorman realised the result was no more of a loss than it was a lesson.
He explained: “My comeback fight, it was good to get back in the ring, get punched, throw some punches, and get the momentum back going.
“That was what it was for ideally and straight after the fight I got straight back in the gym, been working on a lot of new things.
“Without sounding silly, it was probably the best thing to ever happen to me getting beat because it’s made me learn a lot of things, a lesson.
“I didn’t lose, I learned a lesson.”
Gorman returns for his second fight since losing to Dubois on Saturday, against Kristijan Krstacic at the Copper Box.
And if all goes to plan, he has set his sights on another challenge for domestic gold this year.
Gorman said: “Get Saturday out the way first, then I want the British and Commonwealth titles. That’s what I want to go for.”
