Rick Reeno Says Anthony Joshua Faces Heavyweight’s Biggest Unknown in Kristian Prenga

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Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) has built his career against proven heavyweight contenders, but Rick Reeno believes Saturday’s biggest challenge is solving a fighter few have fully measured. Prenga’s (20-1, 20 KOs) punching power and limited exposure, he says, make the Jeddah main event unusually difficult to predict.

Prenga has stopped all 20 opponents he has beaten, yet he arrives without the profile of the leading heavyweight contenders. Reeno believes that lack of familiarity makes him a genuine threat rather than an easy opponent.

“I’m intrigued by the fight coming up in two days because Prenga is an unknown commodity,” Reeno said.

“When you have an unknown commodity it makes for a dangerous fight, especially when the guy is a puncher. That’s one thing we know about Prenga more than anything; he can punch.

“In the Heavyweight division as everyone knows, a fight could end at any moment with one punch.”

Joshua has reached the same conclusion after studying the Albanian’s style during training camp. The former unified heavyweight champion dismissed any suggestion that Saturday’s contest is a routine assignment.

“He’s very dangerous,” Joshua said.

“He’s a very good fighter. Very dangerous fighter. Yes I believe it, I know it, I’ve studied it and I’m ready for it.”

Prenga, meanwhile, believes years of watching Joshua have given him a clear picture of where opportunities could appear once the opening bell sounds.

“I’ve seen everything. I’ve said it before, I respect Anthony Joshua very much. I grew up watching all of his fights. I’ve seen his weakness, I’ve seen what he does best. On Saturday night I will show exactly what I have paid attention to.”

Heavyweights rarely get long to settle into a rhythm. Joshua’s route is to establish his jab, control the distance and force Prenga onto the end of his punches. Prenga’s opportunity comes if he can close range early and turn the contest into a battle of power.

The heavyweight main event tops a 13-fight card streaming live worldwide on DAZN. WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz defends his title against Simon Zachenhuber, while IBF super welterweight champion Josh Kelly faces Caoimhin Agyarko in the chief support.