Fury slightly heavier than Firtha - weigh in pics

Tyson Fury says tonight at the King's Hall in Belfast he will show the world why he is the future of the heavyweight division.

The British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion is back in the ring against North American champion Nicolai Firtha, (pictured) who two fights ago went the distance in a wide points loss with the current WBA heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin.

Fury says he wants to send out a statement to every heavyweight in the world - including the Kiltschko brothers Wladimir and Vitali - that he is the future heavyweight champion of the world.

Fury weighed in at 18st 1lb 2oz and Firtha weighed 17st 9lb 12oz.

Perhaps Firtha has been engaged in a new workout program as he's more than eleven pounds lighter than when he fought Povetkin last December.

Fury commented: "I know that I am the most exciting heavyweight in the world and in the King's Hall against Nicolai Firtha I'm going to send out a message to the world, a real statement with a performance that will have the world of boxing talking about me.

"It's so special for me boxing in Belfast and at the King's Hall where so many greats have boxed. I feel this is my homecoming fight because I never got to box for Ireland at the Olympics even though I did box for Ireland against Poland and America and now I have the chance to show all my fans what it means to me to be fighting in Belfast.

"I'm the British and Commonwealth champion and right now I believe I could beat Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko but I just leave it up to my promoter Mick Hennessy when those fights will happen. But one thing is sure, I am going to the top and I'll show everyone why, when I get in the ring with Firtha."

Promoter Hennessy is expecting another riveting performance from Fury, whose victory over Dereck Chisora in July drew viewing figures approaching 3m on Channel 5 who are screening Fury-Firtha.

Hennessy said: "Tyson is on his way to becoming a global superstar, he's the most exciting fighter in world boxing and the Belfast people have clearly taken him to their hearts this week.

"The response has been incredible, wherever he has gone, and now we expect Tyson to give another exciting performance in the ring. The eyes of the world are now on him."