Shakiel Thompson (11-0, 7 KO’s) was back at his desk on Monday morning.

Last Friday night many of Thompson’s workmates were at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield watching their colleague take apart Gino Kanters in three vicious rounds. A few days later, they were back talking shop with the unbeaten middleweight.

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling good. It’s back to reality. I’m back to work today and back in the gym tonight,” Thompson told boxingscene.com. “I enjoyed Saturday and Sunday and I’m rested, recovered and ready to go because what I want this year is different and that goal remains the same after Saturday. The hard work continues.

“It’s been a little bit slow but I’ve got some momentum now. My foot is down full force on the pedal and I’m not gonna be touching the brakes whatsoever.”

Thompson’s demolition of Kanters caused a buzz amongst British boxing figures. Standing 6ft 3in tall and with genuine power, ‘Dr Steel’ has always had clear physical gifts. He has boxed and won on some major undercards but slipped out of the spotlight after appearing on a series of Boxxer shows. Last Friday, the 26 year old Sheffield southpaw reminded everybody exactly what he is capable of.

Kanters isn’t a stylist but the former Dutch champion is an aggressive, durable handful who has given many a prospect a solid physical test. 

He has been competing over the championship distance since 2018 and although last year he was stopped by the unbeaten Ukranian Petro Ivanov in the final round of a bid for the IBF International super middleweight title, nobody has even beaten him in the manner Thompson did. 

“It’s good that people are slowly starting to recognize me. I’ve put a lot of hard work in and I’m wanting my name to be shown. I’m wanting to really make a big statement in the boxing world this year,” he said.

“Anyone who comes for a fight and the better the opponent is, you’re gonna see the better version of myself. That’s where you’ll see the real force. If they’re coming to take my head off, I’m a good counter puncher and I can fight as well. It all works into my favor.

“Even with the journeymen who just tuck up, I’ve got them out of there. Just through the force of my punches. It’s even better when they want to throw back at me because I can land even cleaner.

“I’m an aggressive counter puncher and when it comes to it and I need to get on my front foot, I can do that. I like fighting too. I knocked him [Kanters] down on the front foot and I knocked him down by counter punching. I showed a bit of everything in that fight.”

Thompson weighed in at 168lbs for the fight with Kanters but insists he will have no trouble making the middleweight limit in the future. He has been a professional for just over five years now and despite his clear ability, has yet to compete for a title. He has had a few tastes of the big stage and the next time he gets the opportunity, he is determined to leave his mark. 

“I’m a middleweight. I have no struggles. It’s just a case of getting the title fights scheduled and going from there. 

“Anyone. Literally anyone in that top ten I’m here and ready to go. It’s just a matter of those fights getting made and once they do, I’ll make a statement once again. I want the title fights now. I’m ready for them and once they’re given to me, no doubt I’ll say yes to them and perform. No doubt.”