Tyler Christopher is relishing the opportunity to make his professional debut, with his long-awaited return to the ring confirmed for September 25.

Having been persuaded to leave the amateur ranks and become a professional boxer by his coach, Anthony Hall, of D & A Boxing School of Excellence Centre in Stirchley, Birmingham, a year ago, the 24-year-old has been forced through the global pandemic to wait for a chance to prove his pedigree.

However, his frustrating wait appears to be coming to end with Christopher included among a promotion fight card scheduled to take place at event at Villa Park, home of Premier League outfit Aston Villa.

While his opponent is yet to be confirmed, the Bermudian boxer, who had a 9-3 record as an amateur bouts before signing a professional contract with manager Jon Pegg, is eager to make his prizefighting debut, when he will fight at super-lightweight or welterweight.

“It finally looks like I’ll be having my debut on September 25 at Aston Villa’s stadium,” said Christopher, who is eager to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Nikki Bascome and Andre Lambe in the professional ranks. “The event was supposed to take place in July but the lockdown in England was extended and it meant we were stopped from having people at the event.

“I was really gutted because I felt like I had some proper momentum in training at the time. However, now it has been rescheduled and I’ll get the opportunity to show my talent.

“I’m also looking forward to joining the professional ranks with Nikki [Bascome] and Andre [Lambe] as we were all stablemates of Forty Rego’s Gym in Bermuda.

“Who knows, hopefully one day we might get a promotion in Bermuda with all of us on one card fighting.“

While his excitement remains high, Christopher also concedes to some pre-event nerves, after enduring a long wait to step back into the ring having not fought since his final amateur outing in Bermuda in February 2019.

“I’m feeling a little anxious and eager because I’ve been out here in England since 2019 and waiting for my chance all that time,” added Christopher, who is due to go into training camp next week.

“I’m preparing to start my full training camp as my coach Anthony Hull likes to have me training exactly six weeks for four-round fights so that way I don’t peak too early.

“Since the ending of June up until now, I’ve just been ticking over. But now I have my fight scheduled, the real hard training and dieting will start from now.”