MANCHESTER, England - Shakiel Thompson is looking forward to introducing himself to the masses when he fights former British champion Brad Pauls, on March 28.

The event had been due to take place at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena on January 24 but was pushed back when injury ruled Moses Itauma out of his headlining fight with America's Jermaine Franklin.

As frustrating as the news undoubtedly was, Thompson is better placed than most to deal with such a delay.

The 28-year-old middleweight from Sheffield has waited for the chance to display his talents on a major stage and looked at home at the event's launch press conference.

"Yeah, it feels real. I've been looking forward to these times and they are here now," Thompson (15-0, 11 KOs) told The Ring as he glanced around to see his face and name emblazoned on the promotional screens and banners.

"Everyone's going to see exactly what it is I can do. They'll see what all the hype is about and why I am one of the number one middleweights in Britain and the world.

"No pressure. These moments have been in my head for ages so now that I'm here, it's just another day. Just go there, do what I need to do.”

Thompson is one of British boxing's best kept secrets.

His middleweight rivals should be fully aware of the threat posed by a tall southpaw with fight-ending power and a deep gas tank but those seeing him for the first time may take one look at his 6-foot-3 frame and expect him to get behind a jab and utilise his physical gifts.

Thompson is capable of boxing and moving but certainly isn't going to give up ground voluntarily. He can't wait to show people the different dimensions to his game.

"They're underestimating me. They just think I'm tall, slim, I'm just going to be on the jab, I'm not going to want to get involved. I love getting involved. I love going in there and having a scrap. It's my trainer that has to tell me to get on the jab and everything, to be honest. I like getting in there and just getting into a fight."

Until late last year, Thompson combined his boxing career with an office job in a local manufacturing company.

Now, the stakes will get progressively higher as the competition gets tougher. Sitting at No. 3 in the IBF divisional rankings, the security provided by a Queensberry promotional deal couldn't have come at a better time.

"I've given up work now. My morning routine has changed. It's just getting my girls ready for school, dropping them off and then after that I've got all the time to rest and train," he said.

"This is what I mean. No one's seen anything. Now that I'm full-time, I'm already seeing huge changes.

"Everyone's noticed it. My trainers noticed it. My people in the gym, sparring partners are like, 'Flipping hell. You're getting stronger, everything's getting better.'"