Tyler Christopher is relishing his first professional bout as a headliner when he returns to the ring in Birmingham, England, next month.

The 26-year-old Bermudian, who has not fought since last September, will be the main attraction against an as yet unnamed opponent on the March Madness card at the H Suite in Edgbaston on March 25.

It will be a chance for the southpaw to further enhance his burgeoning reputation as he tackles his first six-round bout in an attempt to extend his unbeaten record, which he maintained with a second-round stoppage of Harley Marginson last time out.

“This is my first headline as a professional and that’s really exciting,” said Christopher, who trains out of the D&A Boxing School of Excellence in Stirchley, Birmingham.

“At the gym there are about six or seven professional fighters and they want to keep us all active by putting on a big show at the H Suite, where I made my debut.

“I like to think I’m one of the more entertaining professionals at the gym and so I guess they wanted to keep the best until last on the card; they obviously like what they see out there in the ring.

“This is my first six-round fight but my coaches think I’m more suited to that rather than four rounds. It suits me because it means I don’t have to rush looking for a knockout. I can take my time, work out the opponent and just enjoy the fight a bit more.

“I always spar for six to ten rounds in the gym anyway, so I know I can cope with a six-round fight, no problem.

“I’m always pushing for bigger fights to try to raise my profile. I feel like I’m making good progress and the aim is to remain undefeated throughout the year and hopefully start to line up some title fights down the line.”

Despite not knowing the identity of his next opponent, Christopher is not fazed as he has become accustomed to late changes throughout his early professional career.

“It’s no issue for me not knowing my opponent at the moment,” added Christopher. “That unknown factor doesn’t trouble me as it’s nothing new. In all my professional fights so far it feels as if my opponent has changed, so I’ve never really had the chance to prepare for a certain fighter.

“All I’m focusing on doing is making sure my preparation is on point because I’m confident I can beat anyone, no matter who they are. I also know that my coaches wouldn’t put me in the ring in a total mismatch and I know they will only do the best for me, whoever I’m matched up with.

“The one thing I do know for sure is that I want to be tested and I don’t want to fight any journeymen. I want to keep stepping up and so I need to be tested properly.”

With his intensive training camp already under way Christopher concedes the biggest challenge in his preparation is the need to lose around 15 pounds in weight.

Now weighing in at 162 pounds, he has until the end of next month to reach the required 147 pounds to fight at welterweight or risk moving up to super welterweight, which poses the threat of facing a heavier and harder-hitting opponent.

“My biggest focus right now is losing some weight,” said Christopher. “I probably need to shed between ten to 15 pounds by the end of next month.

“Welterweight is my usual weight category but it’s getting harder to get down to around 147 pounds because I’ve put on more muscle as I’ve grown I and don’t have a lot of fat to lose.

“By the end of next month we will have to determine whether I stay at welterweight or have to move up to super welterweight at around 154 pounds, which brings the risk of fighting a heavier opponent.”

In his quest for greater recognition, Christopher is aware he faces a much tougher task to raise his profile among a deeper pool of fighters in England than on home soil, but he believes the greater struggle makes him more hungry success.

“It’s definitely a much tougher journey trying to make a name for myself over here in England,” he said. “I have to promote myself and sell tickets because if I don’t, I don’t get anything as there is no fight purse here.

“It’s a tough journey for sure but it keeps me grounded and I know the sacrifice is worth it for my development. I’m learning lots every day over here and I know it’s helping me develop as a fighter.

“A bit of sponsorship would help massively because it means I could focus on the fighting and trying to get my name out there more than it already is.”

• Anyone interested in sponsoring Tyler Christopher can do so be e-mailing Tylerchristopher183@gmail.com