Kristian Prenga has issued a strong warning to Anthony Joshua ahead of their July 25 clash headlining ‘The Comeback’ card as part of the Esports World Cup Festival in Riyadh, with the bout positioned as a key step toward a mega-fight against Tyson Fury later in the year.
This bout will also mark Joshua’s first appearance since the tragic loss of his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach Sina Ghami, who passed away in a car accident. Joshua survived the crash and now returns to the ring carrying both personal grief and renewed motivation as he looks to continue his career.
Joshua has signed a multi-fight deal, and his return has been widely viewed as a warm-up bout ahead of a blockbuster showdown with the ‘Gypsy King’ later this year, but Prenga believes he has been underestimated.
In the fight announcement press releases, Prenga asserted that he is ready to disrupt plans for a much bigger fight later this year. He made it clear that he sees the fight as more than just another opponent stepping stone.
“Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent,” Prenga said.
Joshua vs Fury plans hinge on result against Prenga
The 35-year-old suggested that Joshua’s team is already looking beyond him, focusing on future plans rather than the immediate challenge.
“I know they have big plans ahead after this fight. I know they are overlooking me. I’m happy about that.”
The bigger picture remains a potential clash with Fury as Turki alalshikh in his cryptic X post shared that the fight has been signed. Later, Eddie Hearn, in his Instagram and in his recent interview, confirmed that the fight is a done deal; however, the location and date are yet to be decided, and it will depend on how AJ’s fight goes against Prenga.
That context adds pressure to Joshua’s return, as any slip-up could jeopardise one of the biggest fights in British boxing.
Prenga targets upset against Joshua
Prenga believes the fight represents a turning point not only for him but also for the Olympic gold medallist.
“This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his,” he said.
He made his intentions clear and expressed Confidence in his ability to shock the world and derail the hype of Joshua vs Fury.
“I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia.”
Joshua’s path to a potential Fury fight hinges on a successful return.
If he comes through the bout as expected, the all-British heavyweight clash could move forward later this year.
However, an upset would completely reshape the landscape.
While Joshua enters the fight as the clear favorite, Prenga has 21 victories, out of which 20 came via knockouts, and has seen just one defeat in his career. His comments highlight the unpredictable nature of heavyweight boxing. Where one big punch could change the fight.
