Postman Kevin McIntyre looks to deliver in Thompson fight

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KEVIN McIntyre admits he has to stamp his authority on Mark Thompson or the last post will be sounded on his big-time boxing ambitions.

Paisley postman McIntyre squares up to the Englishman in Altrincham on Friday knowing victory will establish him as mandatory challenger for the British welterweight title he so desperately wants to regain.

Defeat may see him quit the ring. McIntyre said: "I'm in the last chance saloon where title fights are concerned and I need to stay a viable contender.

"I am supported by the Communication Workers' Union, who have allowed me to come up with a routine that allows me to train full-time for fights such as this.

"But the moment I drop beneath this level that comes up for review.

"I'd struggle if I had to juggle working with boxing so I know how much is at stake on Friday."

McIntyre is two title wins away from taking a Lonsdale belt outright - the prize he wants to take into retirement whenever that comes.

That would make up for the pain of controversially losing the British crown to Kell Brook 15 months ago. He said: "The memory of that fightstill irks me.

"I could have been in better shape when I fought him and he's been at the back of my mind ever since.

"It looks as if he'll relinquish the title to go for bigger things and that would open a door for me if I beat Thompson.

"I've watched him in action and he is big without being a well-rounded boxer.

"Sometimes a fighter gets a good feeling about his next appearance in the ring and that's the way I'm feeling about this one."

But McIntyre knows for every optimistic notion there's a doomsday scenario that has to be taken into the equation.

He said:"Realistically, I would have to decide where I had left to go if I lost.

"I'll be 32 soon and I need access to the big-money fights that come with championship status.

"I don't think there's a stand-out in the welterweight division and I know I can make good headway if I get past Thompson.

"Fighting down south makes no difference to me. I went to Cardiff and beat Tony Docherty to become the Celtic champion and I would rate him a better fighter than Thompson.

"It's my career and I'm the one who has to protect it for as long as possible."