Kristian Prenga is considered a heavy underdog by bookmakers ahead of his July 25 clash with Anthony Joshua, with his victory currently priced at 12-to-1. Nevertheless, the Albanian boxer remains extremely confident about his chances and believes that the serious car accident suffered by AJ, in which he lost two longtime friends before his eyes, could become a disadvantage for the favorite.
“I feel sorry for him and for his team but it’s definitely going to affect him. I think it’s an advantage for me.” Prenga said.
The Albanian heavyweight was then asked whether he had been surprised by the offer to fight Joshua:
“I was already in camp because I was preparing to fight on June 6 at Prudential Center in New Jersey. I wasn’t surprised to get the call because I’ve been waiting for the big fight to come. Even so, when it came, I couldn’t believe it at first, but it happened.
“I was in the gym when the phone rang, it was my manager Keith Connolly, he said ‘you have a big opportunity.’ So I said ‘what’s going on?’ He just said ‘AJ is calling.’ I just said ‘let’s go.’ It’s my time now. My coaches said I’m ready to go now.”
We will see whether Prenga can turn his words into action in Riyadh and whether Anthony Joshua’s mental resilience has indeed been affected by the devastating trauma he experienced a few months ago.