Two time heavyweight champion of the world Shannon ‘The Cannon’ Briggs has told TMZ Sports that he is set to face Tyson Fury for his first fight back in two years.

Briggs said he will knock Fury out in the first round when they come to meet in April 2018.

5 Shannon Briggs is chasing down Tyson Fury Credit: Arfa Griffiths - The Sun

Briggs claims he has been in talks with Fury for a while saying he will be the former heavyweight champion's opponent for his return fight.

The 46-year-old said: “I feel like the fight is going to happen next year we’ve been talking for some time now.

“It’s going to be a great fight, he’s been off for two to three years now, I’ve been off for over a year, I’m going to beat his ass.

Briggs said he will beat Fury with “rhythm,” taking the fight to the middle of the ring.

5 Tyson Fury and Shannon Briggs have clashed before but not in the ring Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription

“Rhythm, he’s a rhythm fighter - I’m a rhythm fighter we’re going to take it to the middle of the ring.

“If he tries to box me I’m going to bum-rush him, if he tries to slug with me I’m going to wear him down - I’m going to knock him out, this is the heavyweight championship fight.

Briggs has been turned down big fights since he announced his comeback to boxing in 2014 but says Fury has accepted to fight him because he has heart and he isn’t scared.

Briggs said: “He got heart and he ain’t scared of me.

“He’s like you know what, this is a great fight, he realises that this is a great fight for England - a great fight as he’ll be seen by the Americans.

5 Tyson Fury has not boxed since beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 Credit: Getty - Contributor

5 Tyson Fury is taking his time to try and make his boxing comeback Credit: Instagram @bendavison_

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Briggs said he respects Fury for facing him.

“This is a guy stepping up to the plate and I respect him for that,” Briggs said.

On when the fight may happen, Briggs said: “We’re looking at April right now."

Briggs predicts he will only need just one round to knockout Fury. I’m calling it right now.

5 Shannon Briggs is nicknamed the cannon Credit: Getty Images - Getty

“Round one, I will knock Tyson Fury out in one round. That’s how hard I’m hitting.

Briggs said he has put an end to his sparring sessions as he has been sending his sparring partners to hospital.

“I’ve been destroying sparring partners - putting them in the hospital, I stopped putting up the training because it was getting too bloody - too vicious man".