Former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua gets back in the ring Saturday night in Saudi Arabia for the first time this year and he made clear at his Thursday press conference he's not focused on the looming mega fight with fellow countryman and former champ, Tyson Fury.
Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua returns to the ring Saturday night in Saudi Arabia for his first fight of the year. But during Thursday's press conference, Joshua made it clear his focus remains on the task at hand—not on a potential blockbuster showdown with fellow Brit and former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Joshua and little known opponent Kristian Prenga met with the media in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia prior to their PPV main event fight Saturday night and the former WBA/IBF/WBO, two time champion made clear,
“We don't want to talk about Tyson Fury. I've done all the media that I can about what the future holds," Joshua told the media. "Our focus is on him (Prenga) and his team, respectfully. Let's focus on what the job is. Look, anyone can be there Saturday. The more tickets sold, the better. But we're in the ring. And it's just me and him. That's where my focus is.”
Watch more of his comments here,
The 36-year-old Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) is taking a risk by facing the little-known 35-year-old Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs). This is, because he's already signed to meet Fury in a blockbuster showdownt that has been about a decade in the making for later this year.
Standing in the way is Prenga, an Albanian-born heavyweight who now lives and trains in New Jersey and comes in with a record of Prenga, 20-1, 20 KOs, but against competition that's no where near what he's about to be in the ring with Saturday.
He said to the media Thursday he has the proper respect for the two time former world champ,
"I've said it before that I respect Anthony Joshua very much. I grew up watching all his fights. I've seen his weakness; I've seen what he does best. On Saturday night. I will show exactly what I paid attention to.
“God is the best planner. You know who knows what will happen?” Prenga continued. “Fate's already written. But, we wish him well. Honestly, there's no hard feelings. It's just two solid competitive people that want to come together and put on a great show for everyone around the world, and everyone in attendance. There's, no hard feelings, no. Jealousy, no envy. I just want to win. I'm motivated, I'm passionate and I just want to show to myself how good I am.”
He'll have to be more than good to have a shot in this one, but then again, Andy Ruiz stepped through the ropes at Madison Square Garden as a massive underdog against Joshua, too, and fight fans know how that turned out.
However, one can argue that Joshua is older and wiser and won't elect to trade, especially early, with Prenga vs. trying to measure him and land the booming right hand that has ended many of his bouts in the past.
