Anthony Joshua vows to 'punch with bad intentions' ahead of July 25 clash with Kristian Prenga

Anthony Joshua (29-4) spoke to the media today ahead of his return to the ring against Kristian Prenga (20-1) on July 25.

The former two-time heavyweight champion has not competed since stopping Jake Paul in devastating fashion last December.

Matchroom's Joshua will now make his boxing return as he builds towards a UK clash against Tyson Fury in December.

First, he will have to get past Albanian knockout artist Kristian Prenga in Jeddah later next month as part of Riyadh Season.

Speaking to the media, the former two-time heavyweight champion spoke about his claim over the division and intent for his July bout.

“I’m not worried about respecting this particular opponent, but when I look at myself, I know I’m going to deliver. This is my division.

“July 25 in Jeddah, the best man will win. I’m going to go in there and show how good I am. I’m going to show him my class, my skill and my boxing IQ and see if he can survive my power as well.”

‘AJ’ also batted back against claims from Prenga’s side that they had made a mistake choosing the Albanian as an opponent, warning that they were digging their grave deeper.

“These guys keep digging a grave,” he said. “The grave has already been dug, but they keep going deeper and deeper.”

Joshua has spent the last few months training alongside members of Oleksandr Usyk’s team in Spain, preparing for Prenga and his Fury clash later on in the year.

Today he explained the benefits of his new training setup and how he believes it will pay off inside the ring.

“Boxing fitness, IQ, defence, I understand it,” he said. “I can really read punches again, my eyes are fully locked in. Just my focus, I can just see it again – I can see the punches and read my opponent really well.”

Usyk, the current heavyweight champion, has previously defeated both Fury and Joshua in initial bouts and rematches.

Working alongside Usyk's team could provide Joshua with valuable insight into how to tackle Fury in December.

For Prenga, Joshua is undoubtedly both the biggest opportunity and fight of his career thus far. A two time European kickboxing champion turned boxer, Prenga believes now is his time to insert himself at the top of the division.

“I respect AJ, he’s a great fighter and I’ve watched him from his first fight, but I think now is my time.”

The Albanian has proven to be a lethal finisher so far at heavyweight, with all 20 of his victories coming by way of knockout. A statistic he looks to maintain when he steps into the ring in Jeddah.

“I’m not a talker, I’m a puncher. If I catch you (AJ), you’ve never felt a punch like it. I respect him but in the ring I have no respect for anybody.”

Keith Sullivan, Prenga’s manager, claimed that Matchroom and Eddie Hearn had made a mistake selecting the Albanian as an opponent, calling it a "lose-lose" situation for Joshua.

“I’m shocked they made this level of miscalculation, I really am. We have a live dog who’s coming for it all.”

Live dog or not, for Joshua, the task lies in honing focus on Prenga with the Fury fight looming in the shadows.