Joshua responds to Prenga's message: 'Underestimation is a positive thing for me'

Anthony Joshua is preparing for his return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, facing Albanian knockout artist Kristian Prenga. A victory is crucial for Joshua, as it could set up a highly anticipated bout against fellow Briton and rival Tyson Fury, billed as the biggest fight in British boxing history.

Joshua, with a record of 29 wins and 4 losses, is the favorite against Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs). This fight marks his comeback after a seven-month hiatus and follows a victory over Jake Paul and a personal tragedy involving the loss of two friends in a car accident in Nigeria shortly after. Despite the personal challenges, Joshua appears highly motivated.

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Sami sebi kopaju grob. Uradit ću ono što moram. Poštujem ga koliko poštujem i svakog drugog protivnika, ali znam što mogu pružiti u ringu. Sve te priče su jeftine, vidjet ćemo sve. Ovo je moja divizija. Ja ovdje pripadam, ne radim to iz šale. Sve ovisi o meni.

Prenga's manager, Keith Sullivan, has reportedly advised Matchroom's Eddie Hearn that matching Joshua with Prenga was a misstep. Joshua responded with a confident assertion: "They are digging their own grave. I will do what I have to do. I respect him as much as I respect any other opponent, but I know what I can deliver in the ring. All these stories are cheap, we will see everything. This is my division. I belong here, I don't do this for a joke. Everything depends on me."

Kristian Prenga, however, is ready to challenge Joshua and believes he has the skills to cause an upset. "Underestimation is a positive thing for me," Prenga stated. "You talk about fighting Fury, you plan, and now is the time when you should focus on everything else, not that. I'm glad you underestimate me... I'm not one of those who talk a lot, I'm the type who hits and I'm Albanian. So when I get you... You've never felt a punch like mine, and I promise you that. I respect you as a fighter, but in the ring, I respect no one."

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Nisam od onih koji mnogo govori, ja sam tip koji udara i ja sam Albanac. Pa kad te dohvatim… Nikad nisi osjetio udarac kao što je moj i to ti obećavam. Poštujem te kao borca, ali u ringu nikoga ne poštujem.