Kristian Prenga, the Albanian heavyweight set to face Anthony Joshua in Riyadh on July 25, says he intends to wreck the anticipated mega-fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury by knocking out the British star and making himself the next challenger, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs), a 35-year-old based in Englewood, New Jersey, was a largely unknown name outside hardcore boxing circles when his fight against Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) was announced. But the veteran, who has been a professional for 10 years, made clear he is not in Riyadh merely to make up the numbers.
“I’m going to spoil that fight,” Prenga told FightsATW, referring to the anticipated Joshua-Fury showdown.
“Maybe Fury will fight me after I knock out Joshua? I’m going to shock the world!”
Prenga said he was in training when his manager, Keith Sullivan, informed him of interest from Team Joshua, and he did not hesitate to accept.
“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.
The fight drew immediate scrutiny from the boxing establishment. International Hall of Fame promoter Lou Dibella described Prenga as “a doorman” on the Ariel Helwani Show, a comment Prenga brushed aside, noting that Dibella had once tried to sign him without success.
“I don’t pay attention to what people say. I’m a real fighter, and people will see that when I fight Joshua,” he said.
The Joshua-Prenga bout on DAZN PPV marks Joshua’s first ring appearance since a tragic accident claimed the lives of two of his close friends. Should both men progress from their respective outings, a Joshua-Fury heavyweight clash remains the headline event being constructed for later in the year.
Fury, for his part, confirmed on Tuesday via Instagram that he will fight in Dublin on August 1 as a warm-up, with an opponent yet to be named. His last outing came on April 11 when he defeated Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov on points at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with two judges scoring it 120-108 and the third 119-109.
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