It has been a frustrating year for Jordan Gill.

The Chatteris fighter has been patiently waiting for an opportunity to announce his name on boxing’s big stage but hasn’t stepped through the ropes in over a year; his last outing – a commanding points victory over Chris Adaway - coming almost 14 months ago.

The 22-year-old thought his drought was over back in February with a spot on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr’s IBO World super middleweight title fight, only for his hopes to be dashed at the 11th hour due to time constraints.

But, this summer ‘The Thrill’ is back and has been handed a shot at the big time – but not before he sharpens his skills with a warm-up fight in Sheffield in just two weeks’ time.

“I’ve been training non-stop,” Gill said. “They’ve been killing me in the gym but I’m really enjoying my training.

“If I’m honest, I wanted to jump straight into the big fight but I didn’t want to have any excuses going into it.

“It’s got the point now where I need to be chucked in with some big sharks and the big dogs and I’m relishing the thought – I’m sat here smiling now – but it’s going to be good to have a little tune-up. It’s going to be good to be back in the ring.”

And while Gill is eager to showcase his talent on the national stage, he insists he is not going to take his warm-up fight – scheduled for May 12 in Sheffield - lightly.

“This fight will be an enjoyable one,” he said.

“We’ve left no stone unturned in training and you are going to see a good Jordan Gill in two weeks’ time.”

Gill, labelled as one of the UK’s finest young super featherweights, is yet to be beaten as a professional and believes that despite his 13-month absence from the ring, he deserves the chance to gun for a national title.

He said: “I think I’m owed a big fight. All you want as a boxer is the opportunity and that will come for me this summer.

“You have all your people around you throughout the year but when it’s just you and your opponent facing each other in the ring then there’s no-one that can help you.

“If I’m good enough then I’ll win and if I’m not, I’ll lose – but I wouldn’t be going into these big fights if I didn’t think I was good enough.”

• Tickets for Jordan’s fight, on May 12 at the Hilton Hotel, Sheffield, can be bought by calling 01354 695211.

Tickets cost £60 and include a three-course dinner. Proceeds will go to the Weston Park Cancer Charity.