British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has fired back at Kristian Prenga’s pre-fight predictions, telling the Albanian heavyweight that he is simply digging his own grave ahead of their July 25 bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Joshua, who has not fought since stopping American Jake Paul in six rounds in Miami last December — a victory that extended his professional record to 29-4 — was responding to Prenga’s bold declarations at their press conference, where the Albanian promised to deliver something the former champion had never felt in the ring. “I think these guys just dig their grave,” Joshua told DAZN. “Their grave’s already been dug, but they just keep digging deeper and deeper and deeper, and I’m just going to do what I need to do. I’ve got full belief. I just know exactly what I need to do. I’m not worrying. I respect him. I respect every opponent, but when I look at myself, I know what I got to do, and I’m going to deliver.” The 36-year-old two-time unified world heavyweight champion has spoken openly about being mentally and physically stronger than at any previous point in his career, drawing renewed purpose from a difficult period following the deaths of two close friends in a car accident in Sagamu, Nigeria, last December. Related News Nigeria’s World Cup absence a big miss – Terry AFN VP pledges N1.6m reward for C’wealth Games trials Oshoala rallies support for Falcons ahead WAFCON Joshua made clear that Prenga is one step on a ladder that leads ultimately to Tyson Fury, with the pair’s anticipated all-British showdown expected in November, but insisted he is not treating the Albanian lightly. “Give me the opportunity to fight Prenga, give me the opportunity to fight Fury, give me the opportunity to fight for the championship. It ain’t about looking past anyone, it’s just knowing your purpose and knowing your steps forward and moving up the ladder. “I’ve got a clear goal, I know what this year is about, I know how tough this year is going to be. I’ve been training hard — that’s my life,” he said. Prenga, 35, who is 20-1 with all 20 of his victories coming by knockout, last fought in February, stopping American Joe Jones in the first round in Atlantic City. He stands six feet five inches tall and has insisted that Joshua has never felt anything like his punching power. “I think I’m going to shock the world,” Prenga said at the press conference, a sentiment backed by his manager, Keith Sullivan, who claimed Matchroom Boxing had made a “miscalculation” with their prized asset.
