Tyler Christopher’s frustrating wait to get back into the ring has been prolonged after seeing his scheduled professional boxing debut delayed.

Having been persuaded to join the paid ranks by his coach, Anthony Hall, of D&A Boxing School of Excellence Centre in Stirchley, Birmingham, a year ago, the 25-year-old has been forced through the global pandemic to wait for a chance to prove his pedigree.

That wait finally looked set to end with a scheduled bout at the Holte Suite at Villa Park, home of Premier League outfit Aston Villa, today; however he endured yet more misfortune as promoters opted to cancel the event because of promotional issues.

“Obviously at first I was gutted because I’ve had to wait so long for my pro debut, but it was a case of sucking it up and moving on because I can’t change it,” Christopher said.

“It is tough because obviously I have put in a lot of work but it is something that I just have to get on with, bite my tongue and not complain.”

While the delay may not prove too severe, with a new bout against Josh Hodgins scheduled for October 9 at the H Suite in Birmingham, Christopher conceded his new challenge brings far greater risk, particularly the prospect of stepping up from welterweight to super welterweight to face a heavier opponent.

“Because of having to find a new opponent, the entire game plan has had to change in a short time,” added Christopher on the challenge of preparing to face 30-year-old Hodgins, who has suffered defeat in all four of professional bouts.

“The main issue is that the first opponent was at my weight class, so I was planning on being the aggressor in that fight.

“My new opponent will be heavier than me and so it will put me on the back foot.

“I’m expecting a tough fight and certainly not thinking it will be a straightforward walkover.

“However, I know I have the skill set to adapt and successfully switch up my game plan for any opponent. As a boxer you have to trust your coach and the process to guide me in the right direction.

“I’m taking a risk and stepping into new territory for this fight against a heavier opponent but I’ve taken that aggravation from seeing my other fight cancelled and put it towards this fight.

“I’m relieved to have another fight to look forward to and I’m raring to go.”

Despite his immediate attention being on the upcoming bout, Christopher — who has not fought in Bermuda since his final amateur outing in 2019 — has not ruled out the possibility of fighting alongside fellow Bermudian professionals Nikki Bascome, Andre Lambe and Mikey Parsons, as part of a scheduled event on island on November 6.

“If the opportunity is there and the promoters want me to come home and be part of the event then it is definitely one I’m willing to take,” he added. “I’d love to come home and show the Bermudian crowd what I’ve learnt and how much I’ve grown as a boxer.

“I always tell guys in the gym here how the fight nights in Bermuda are such big events and great environments to fight in. I’m just hopeful that if they want me there I’ll be allowed to make the trip.

“To have four local professionals on one fight card and be able to fight alongside my old stablemates in Nikki and Andre, would be amazing, I’d love that.”