Anthony Joshua emphasised he’s not back to play around in the first press conference for his return against Kristian Prenga.
‘AJ’ faces Prenga on July 25 in Saudi Arabia, having already signed to meet Tyson Fury in an all-British blockbuster later in the year.
Joshua: I really want to show how good I am
“Itâs a massive year for me,” Joshua explained in London on Monday.
“When I sat down with Eddie and the team, there was an opportunity to fight Prenga, and then they said, âWe want to extend that deal to fight Tyson Fury as well.’
âIt ain’t about looking past anyone, it’s about moving up the ladderâŠ
âI’m looking forward to the challenge. Iâve been training hard. Iâm really focusing on improving my talent and skills.
“I really want to improve my boxing IQ and show how good I am.â
Joshua hasn’t boxed since knocking out Jake Paul in December, which came 15 months after he was floored by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
Just ten days after his win over Paul in Miami, the 36-year-old was involved in a tragic car accident that sadly claimed the lives of two of his best friends.
Members of the boxing fraternity were unsure if ‘AJ’ would ever fight again after the crash, but he’s now back, ready to go to war and gunning to become world champion once again.
Should Joshua overcome Prenga and then do a job on Fury, the Watford powerhouse would suddenly be straight back on the path to fighting for gold.
Talk of Joshua battling Fury is already one of the biggest talking points ahead of the former’s fight with Prenga.
âI want you to show me no respect.â
Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange words đŁïž#JoshuaPrenga | July 25th | Exclusively on DAZN đ„ pic.twitter.com/EVnzuiieba
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) June 1, 2026
And that struck a nerve with the Albanian when the pair came face-to-face for the first time.
Prenga said he didn’t believe it when his manager first informed him the ‘AJ’ fight was there, but he didn’t hesitate to accept.
Prenga promises AJ to deliver hardest punch
âIâve watched him from the first fight, grown up with him, but everything happens sometimes,” Prenga said.
“I think now is my time and I need to show the world. Iâm training more than ever, feeling great and ready, and I think Iâm gonna shock the world.â
Joshua responded: “These guys just dig a grave.
“The grave has already been dug, but they just keep digging and digging.
âI know exactly what I need to do. I know Iâm going to deliver. Itâs what I do. All the talk is cheap⊠this is my division.”
Prenga fired back: âBeing underestimated is a positive thing for me.
âYou’re talking about the fight with Fury, youâre planning ahead of God, and this is the time you should be focusedânot that.
âIâm glad that youâre underestimating thisâŠ
âIâm not a talker guy, Iâm a puncher guy and Iâm Albanian. If I catch you, youâve never felt a punch like mine. I promise you.
âI respect you as a fighter, but in the ring, I donât have respect for anybody.”
Joshua loved Prenga’s plan.
“I want you to show me no respect, and this is perfect for me. So thank you,” he concluded.
“I want you to come into the ring and show me no respect. I’m going to show class, skill, boxing IQ and punch with bad intentions.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who was also in attendance for the press conference, later explained to The Ring Magazine broadcast why Prenga was the chosen one.
“I need a big, strong lump who is dangerous and coming to win,” Hearn said.
“If we can’t beat Kristian Prenga, we don’t deserve to be in the ring with Tyson Fury.”
