New Jersey-based Albanian Kristian Prenga has warned Anthony Joshua about his power ahead of their July 25 bout in Jeddah.
The pair will fight in Saudi Arabia, and at today’s press conference, the 20-1 (20 KOs) Prenga told Joshua that he needs to be ready to feel his power.
“I train hard, I am ready,” said Prenga. “Sorry I’m not good at talking [in fluent English, though he tried and was fine] but I promise you, if I catch you, you’ve never felt anything like my punch. I promise it. You’re a great fighter but in the ring, I don’t have respect for nobody.”
Prenga said he was training hard and felt more ready than ever. The 6ft 5ins fighter dropped an eight-round decision early in his career to the then 1-2 Giovanni Auriemma, but since then, only one opponent in his next 15 has made it beyond the third round, and that was Joey Dawejko, who got into the fifth.
“I think I’m going to shock the world,” he added.
That sentiment was agreed by his manager, Keith Sullivan, who said Matchroom Boxing had made a “miscalculation” with their prized asset and that his man “was coming for it all.”
Prenga also said he didn’t mind if more people were talking about Joshua’s proposed fight later in the year with Tyson Fury.
“Being underestimated is actually a positive thing for me,” said Prenga. “Planning before is trying to be bigger than God, and no one is. You’ve got to go with God’s plans and then you will become a winner. On July 25 I will show it’s God’s plans.”
And despite saying all the right things, the 35-year-old who turned pro four years after Joshua won Olympic gold at the London Olympics, admitted he was shocked when he heard that he was in the frame to fight the former champion.
“When my manager called me, he said, ‘You’re going to have a big opportunity, you can fight with AJ.’ First, I didn’t believe it. But I said, ‘Let’s go.’ It’s my time now. I respect him. He’s a great fighter. I watched him from the first fight [professional debut], always. I grew up with him, but everything he has… I think now is my time. I need to show the world.
“I’m going to do my best. I promise.”
