Paul McCloskey has won his opening 13 professional fights

Tontchev won an Olympic silver medal in 1992 but the Bulgarian has lost his last two bouts - including a points loss to England's John Fewes in July.

However, Dungiven light-welterweight McCloskey is giving the 34-year-old plenty of respect.

"Two fights ago, he fought for the European title," said McCloskey.

However, Tontchev was knocked out in three rounds by Belarus' Yuri Romanov in that bout in April and while the Bulgarian does have an impressive pedigree, McCloskey may be meeting him at the right time.

The 28-year-old says victory over Tontchev will "get me up the ladder".

"I want to go on and win things so these are the kind of boys you have to fight.

It is far too early for McCloskey to be fighting someone with my experience, power and ability Tontcho Tontchev

"I've been sparring with world champions and you can't buy that anywhere. I'm ready for this fight and I'll prove that at the King's Hall."

Tontchev, who has lost six of his 43 career bouts, appears to be past his best but the Bulgarian insists that McCloskey's handlers have made a major error in arranging the bout.

"McCloskey might be a good up and coming fighter but his team have made a serious mistake agreeing to fight me," said Tontchev, who has achieved 21 knockouts in his 43 bouts.

"It is far too early for McCloskey to be fighting someone with my experience, power and ability and I'm sorry for all his fans but I will be leaving Belfast with the belt."

The belt that the Bulgarian is referring to is the lightly regarded International Light-Welterweight belt.

McCloskey, who is scheduled to box 12 rounds for the first time in his career, will hope that he is able to secure much more significant titles over the next couple of years.

The fight is part of the bill headlined by John Duddy's middleweight clash with Howard Eastman.