Focused Anthony Joshua silent about Tyson Fury, shares mutual respect with Kristian Prenga
Anthony Joshua declined to speak about potential next opponent, Tyson Fury, and instead shared a mutually respectful press conference with this Saturday’s (July 25) opponent, Kristian Prenga today in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, 29-4 (26 KOs), and Prenga, 20-1 (20 KOs), braved a 94°F/34.4°C temperature (which apparently feels like 107°F/41.6°C to human skin) at the Jeddah Promenade to talk about their weekend 12-round non-title bout at the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabi.
The event, alternately billed as "Danger Before Destiny", and "The Comeback", is presented by Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions and will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV (1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM BST) with the prelims beginning at 9:00 AM ET / 2:00 PM BST.
While prospective next opponent Tyson Fury, who also fights this weekend against Mariusz Wach in Thailand, has spent fight week taking shot after shot at Joshua, AJ, by contrast has chosen to stay silent on Fury until after his fight.
“Shout out to my opponent and his team. How am I feeling? There is no place, other than being here with you guys, is where I want to be right now,” Joshua began. “It's been an honor spending this week with you guys in Saudi. I want to thank my team for their efforts to get me in this position. We've been working since January, working hard, keeping my head down, aligning all my stars. And I'm fully focused. I understand there's a big picture.
“The goal is to conquer the universe. But first, we must conquer Earth, and this is my target here (Prenga). It's not only him; I also have to look at his team. We're focusing on the team: my coach against his coach, my physio against his physio, my strategist against his strategist, this fighter against that fighter. And may the best man win.”
When directly asked about Fury and the possibility he will be ringside Saturday after his Friday fight, Joshua replied:
“We don't want to talk about Tyson Fury. I've done all the media that I can about what the future holds. Our focus is on [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.”
Edgewater, New Jersey via Orosh, Albania’s Prenga, while predicting he will score a quick knockout over Joshua on Saturday, expressed through a translator his admiration for the former champ.
“Every boxer has his weaknesses and has faults in the ring, no matter who you are. I've seen everything and I respect. 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.”
Recognizing Prenga’s 20 knockouts in 20 wins, Joshua says he considers Prenga dangerous and will rely on his vast experience against the 20-to-1 Albanian underdog on Saturday.
"You know, I've been in the ring with some of the quickest heavyweights, some of the fittest heavyweights. I've fought some of the strongest heavyweights. I've fought contenders, I've fought champions. I've been knocked down. I've been knocked out. I stand strong today. I'm ready for the challenge. One million per cent we're gonna find out Saturday...
“The reality of the matter is there is no universe, there is no future unless I get past this checkpoint on Saturday night."