Anthony Joshua- July Opponent Prenga "Grave Already Dug"

Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring late in July, but on Monday he and his little known opponent met with the media. And, the former unified heavyweight champ made clear that he already believes his Kristian Prenga is done before things start inside the ropes.

The 36 year old Joshua, 29-4 26 KOs, will risk fighting the 35 year old, little known, Prenga, 20-1, 20 KOs, even though he's signed for a mega-fight with countryman and fellow former two-time heavyweight champ Tyson Fury late this year.

The British hero Joshua and Prenga, who's originally from Albania but lives and trains in New Jersey will meet in a Matchroom Boxing PPV on July 25th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

And, Joshua smirked in the opening press conference, when it came to Prenga,

“These guys just dig a grave,” Joshua said as he smiled. “The grave has already been dug but they keep digging deeper and deeper. I respect every opponent but when I look at myself, I know I’m going to deliver… This is my division… I belong here. I don’t do this as a joke. I do this because it’s what I’m good at, and I’m going to prove it. I’m looking forward to it.”

Joshua will make his first appearance in the ring, since his KO victory over Jake Paul in their hype driven showdown in Miami last December.

That win was expected to fast-track Joshua into another high profile contest at the top of the heavyweight division. However, his career plans were temporarily put on hold following a devastating vehicle accident a couple of weeks later in Nigeria, where he was a passenger, but it claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

Joshua suffered undisclosed physical injuries, in addition to the mental anguish, which prompted the former world champion to take time to reassess both his professional ambitions and personal priorities.

Now, he's decided to comeback and elaborated on why he's not waiting to fight Fury in his next bout,

“We’re strong, we’re focused. It’s a massive year for me,” said the former WBA/IBF/WBO champion. “When I sat down with Eddie (Hearn) and the team there was opportunity to fight Prenga of course, and then they also said, ‘But we want to extend that deal and give you the opportunity to fight Tyson Fury.’

You put any fighter in that position where I was, they’re saying, ‘Let me sign that contract. Give me the opportunity to fight Fury, give me the opportunity to fight Prenga, give me the opportunity to fight for the championship.’

Watch the press conference here,

Joshua has been training with current unified champ Oleksandr Usyk and was actually helping Usyk prepare for his wild, close battle with kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

So, he seems to be back on track, but clearly he's taking at least a minimal risk with the Prenga fight, as a loss or an injury could delay or derail altogether the Fury fight.

Joshua addressed it simply Monday,

It ain’t about looking past anyone, it’s knowing your purpose and knowing your step forward and moving up the ladder. I’ve got a clear goal, I know what this year’s about, I know how tough this year’s going to be.

"I’m definitely the man for the job.”