Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga | DAZN - 25 July 2026

[Coco]

I think it's just to see if AJ is mentally there.

Exactly, a confidence builder, and the show will sell

You think people will travel for this?
I think there will be a lot of locals comped in.

Some will, but box office TV, lots of sponsorship

[mickey1975]

I think it's just to see if AJ is mentally there.

Exactly, a confidence builder, and the show will sell

You think people will travel for this?
I think there will be a lot of locals comped in.

It was less than a tenner a ticket for most of the arena. Loads left last week but all gone now, Turki style.

[Ruthless-RKO]

PRESSER

[Ruthless-RKO]

Focused Anthony Joshua silent about Tyson Fury, shares mutual respect with Kristian Prenga

Anthony Joshua declined to speak about potential next opponent, Tyson Fury, and instead shared a mutually respectful press conference with this Saturday’s (July 25) opponent, Kristian Prenga today in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua, 29-4 (26 KOs), and Prenga, 20-1 (20 KOs), braved a 94°F/34.4°C temperature (which apparently feels like 107°F/41.6°C to human skin) at the Jeddah Promenade to talk about their weekend 12-round non-title bout at the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabi.

The event, alternately billed as "Danger Before Destiny", and "The Comeback", is presented by Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions and will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV (1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM BST) with the prelims beginning at 9:00 AM ET / 2:00 PM BST.

While prospective next opponent Tyson Fury, who also fights this weekend against Mariusz Wach in Thailand, has spent fight week taking shot after shot at Joshua, AJ, by contrast has chosen to stay silent on Fury until after his fight.

“Shout out to my opponent and his team. How am I feeling? There is no place, other than being here with you guys, is where I want to be right now,” Joshua began. “It's been an honor spending this week with you guys in Saudi. I want to thank my team for their efforts to get me in this position. We've been working since January, working hard, keeping my head down, aligning all my stars. And I'm fully focused. I understand there's a big picture.

“The goal is to conquer the universe. But first, we must conquer Earth, and this is my target here (Prenga). It's not only him; I also have to look at his team. We're focusing on the team: my coach against his coach, my physio against his physio, my strategist against his strategist, this fighter against that fighter. And may the best man win.”

When directly asked about Fury and the possibility he will be ringside Saturday after his Friday fight, Joshua replied:

“We don't want to talk about Tyson Fury. I've done all the media that I can about what the future holds. Our focus is on [Prenga] and his team, respectfully.

"Let's focus on what the job is. Look, anyone can be there Saturday. The more tickets sold, the better. But we're in the ring. And it's just me and him. That's where my focus is.”

Edgewater, New Jersey via Orosh, Albania’s Prenga, while predicting he will score a quick knockout over Joshua on Saturday, expressed through a translator his admiration for the former champ.

“Every boxer has his weaknesses and has faults in the ring, no matter who you are. I've seen everything and I respect. I've said it before that I respect Anthony Joshua very much. I grew up watching all his fights. I've seen his weakness; I've seen what he does best. On Saturday night. I will show exactly what I paid attention to.

“God is the best planner. You know who knows what will happen?” Prenga continued. “Fate's already written. But, we wish him well. Honestly, there's no hard feelings. It's just two solid competitive people that want to come together and put on a great show for everyone around the world, and everyone in attendance. There's, no hard feelings, no. Jealousy, no envy. I just want to win. I'm motivated, I'm passionate and I just want to show to myself how good I am.”

Recognizing Prenga’s 20 knockouts in 20 wins, Joshua says he considers Prenga dangerous and will rely on his vast experience against the 20-to-1 Albanian underdog on Saturday.

"You know, I've been in the ring with some of the quickest heavyweights, some of the fittest heavyweights. I've fought some of the strongest heavyweights. I've fought contenders, I've fought champions. I've been knocked down. I've been knocked out. I stand strong today. I'm ready for the challenge. One million per cent we're gonna find out Saturday...

“The reality of the matter is there is no universe, there is no future unless I get past this checkpoint on Saturday night."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fury: Wach is a real test, unlike Prenga for Joshua

To say Tyson Fury isn’t impressed with Kristian Prenga would be putting it mildly.

Prenga, a 35-year-old fringe heavyweight contender, is set for a massive step up in competition when he takes on Anthony Joshua on July 25 at Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The DAZN pay-per-view event is considered a warm-up fight for Joshua as a deal is already in place for him and Fury to square off later this year.

One day before Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) and Prenga do battle, Fury will have his own warm-up fight against Mariusz Wach at Max Muaythai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand.

Fury considers the 46-year-old Wach (39-13, 20 KOs) to be a more legitimate foe than Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs).

“Prenga is a doorman,” Fury told iFL TV. “Mariusz Wach is a real fighting man. He’s fought multiple world champions. He’s had 50-plus fights. Even at his age he’d still batter Prenga.”

Wach, a one-time world title challenger, is the more recognizable name, but Prenga might have an edge in current form.

Wach has lost three of his last four fights since 2024 and is 6-11 in his last 17. The Pole is coming off a shutout loss against Viktor Vykhryst in March. Prenga, a U.S.-based Albanian, has won 16 consecutive fights since his only loss and all his victories have come by knockout, although his opposition has been marginal.

Fury returned from a 16-month "retirement" by easily outpointing Arslanbek Makhmudov in April. His objective is to work his way back into form as the Joshua fight nears.

“I just want to keep sharp and keep going,” Fury said. “I had 16 months out of the ring, and I only had 12 months back. So hopefully it’s another 12 rounds [against Wach] and we’ll go from there.”

[joshj909]

"Even at his age he’d still batter Prenga"

If Fury wanted to face someone that was clearly better than Joshua's opponent then he could have done. He chose not to, probably because he needs to pick up his confidence in the same way that Joshua does. It's nonsense calling out one over the other when neither of these are significant fights. However, atleast Prenga is 10 years younger and ranked inside the top 50 rather than the top 300. As limited Prenga is, he is on a somewhat respectable unbeaten streak for a limited journeyman whereas Wach has not had a respectable run in 9 years. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones but Fury going on about Prenga just draws the attention to how limited both of these opponents are.

[handsofstone]

Joshua was horrendous against Dubois and bang average against Paul, I've never seen Prenga but I still wouldn't be overly surprised if he starched AJ

[Ruthless-RKO]

Upset-minded Prenga believes Joshua knockout will lead him to Fury

Kristian Prenga believes that Anthony Joshua’s chin and his mentality will let him down on Saturday night.

The unheralded Albanian boxes Joshua in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and has a walk-on part ahead of what is expected to result in Joshua facing Tyson Fury later in the year.

Asked his thoughts about Joshua’s ability to hold a shot and the Englishman’s mindset, Prenga told Betway: “For me, not what I think but what I see with my eyes, the chin is no chin because we see in the ring he went down many times. And mentally I think it's not the same as before, but it's normal because he [Joshua] had an accident [the tragic car crash in Nigeria in December] and he lost to [Daniel] Dubois, and I think it’s not gonna be the same for him.”

Prenga is not expected to crash any party.

He's 20-1 (20 KOs) but Joshua presents and almighty step up in class for the New Jersey-based Albanian.

Prenga has, of course, been in the spotlight this week because of the occasion. He said he has not been bothered doing the media rounds but admitted, “I'm not a talker person, I’m a puncher guy. And I’m not going on a lot of interviews on TV but it’s part of the sport.”

He also said he’s more motivated in his role as the underdog and he has a desire to prove the naysayers wrong.

Prenga, 35, also thinks AJ is not dismissive of the threat he poses and that the Londoner is not already looking to the Fury fight.

“AJ is a gentleman, he has respect for everybody, but I told him before too, it’s not good to make a plan before God,” said Prenga. “His team, his management, or him, I don’t know, he made a plan before God to fight Tyson Fury, but first he needs to fight me. And it’s not good to make a plan before God because only God can make a plan for you, for me, for everybody.”

Instead, Prenga – who believes Joshua will retire if he loses – thinks he will win and go into the Fury fight instead.

“Why not? It’s gonna be in London. You know you have a million Albanians in London. It’s gonna be a great fight.”
And he anticipates drama on Saturday night in Jeddah against Joshua.

“I’m pretty sure it’s a knockout. It’s not going to decisions,” said Prenga.

[londonwar]

Don't expect anything from Prenga. He's another Nelson Hysa. He's been served a diet of absolute bums, or journeyman who have taken money not to journey very far.

[JamesPhilips]

Don't expect anything from Prenga. He's another Nelson Hysa. He's been served a diet of absolute bums, or journeyman who have taken money not to journey very far.

Do you think Joshua will carry him or just blast him out?

[Boxerbeetle]

Apparently this is PPV?? DAZN really are shitbags, aren’t they.

[JamesPhilips]

Apparently this is PPV?? DAZN really are shitbags, aren’t they.

So is Errol Spence - Tim Tszyu. Even in the UK

[Ruthless-RKO]

Apparently this is PPV?? DAZN really are shitbags, aren’t they.

So is Errol Spence - Tim Tszyu. Even in the UK

It’s part of DAZN ultimate sub

[KiwiRider]

Apparently this is PPV?? DAZN really are shitbags, aren’t they.

So is Errol Spence - Tim Tszyu. Even in the UK

It’s part of DAZN ultimate sub

It's still taking the piss. Warm up fights of this level should be in the gym. Mostly so people don't see it if it goes badly - which will be the only reason I'll watch this or Fury Wach.

[Oiky]

Yeah AJ v Prenga on PPV is robbery

[Boxerbeetle]

Apparently this is PPV?? DAZN really are shitbags, aren’t they.

So is Errol Spence - Tim Tszyu. Even in the UK

It’s part of DAZN ultimate sub

Yeah for 25 quid per month You can get the entire Sky Sports package for less than that. DAZN is a piss take.

[Ruthless-RKO]

ONE MORE SLEEP UNTIL AJ IS BACK

Anthony Joshua - 251 lbs
Kristian Prenga - 261.4 lbs

All set for their heavyweight main event tomorrow night in Jeddah

[Cent0089]

Bank vs August only 8 rounder?

[Ruthless-RKO]

[keithmoonhangover]

Don't expect anything from Prenga. He's another Nelson Hysa. He's been served a diet of absolute bums, or journeyman who have taken money not to journey very far.

Do you think Joshua will carry him or just blast him out?

There's always the possibility of Prenga having a granite chin.

[Perkin Warbeck]

Apparently this is PPV?? DAZN really are shitbags, aren’t they.

It absolutely should be on regular DAZN not PPV, considering it's just a warm-up fight for Joshua against a soft opponent.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Night!

[Ruthless-RKO]

BBC Sport spoke to figures from the boxing world to get their predictions for Saturday's fight.

Natasha Jonas - former two-weight world champion
"I think AJ will win by a stoppage late. He has to be careful at the beginning of the fight because a lot of Prenga's stoppages have come in the first couple of rounds - he rarely goes past six rounds, so that's uncharted territory."

Prediction - Joshua

Carl Frampton - former two-weight world champion
"I think AJ will have a look in the first round but it will be over round three or four. I think he'll go right though this guy. I hope he does and we see him and Fury."

Prediction - Joshua

Josh Kelly - IBF light-middleweight world champion
"Joshua coming back from what he has is a testament to himself. His attitude and mental resilience. I haven't seen much of Prenga, but I've heard he's a tough guy. If the right Anthony Joshua goes out there and performs, he's a hard night for anyone. If he goes out and performs, he can put anyone on their back. He needs to not overthink. Do your job, get in and get out."

Prediction - Joshua

Adam Smith - DAZN commentator
"Obviously it's been an incredibly difficult time for AJ but he seems mentally and physically in a good place, training under Team Usyk.

"I expect him to go out there and emphatically deal with Prenga, who has not fought at anywhere near Joshua's level. So Joshua to win within the first four rounds."

Prediction - Joshua

Adam Booth - trainer
"I think it's a fascinating opponent for AJ to take, because although you may criticise Prenga's style and that it might not look the best, he was a tough unbeaten kickboxer. We saw with Rico Verhoeven against Usyk that these kickboxers can make it tough. I expect AJ to look fresh, establish a quick jab early and have attention to detail.

"He looks very lean, I think he'll be quicker than before and I think he's going to get a clean win. Prenga will try but I think AJ will walk him on to a shot."

Prediction - Joshua

Barry Jones - former super-featherweight world champion
"In recent times, you're never quite sure which version of Joshua would turn up on the night.

"But saying that, any version of Joshua will have too much for Prenga. He's big and powerful, but I think he's out of his depth.

"I think Joshua will be a little bit more confident and forceful against this level of opposition. I think it will be three or four rounds before Joshua gets to him with a stoppage."

Prediction - Joshua

Tony Bellew - former cruiserweight world champion
"You will not see a third round. Joshua will win by a brutal, nasty and vicious knockout."

Prediction - Joshua

Darren Barker - former middleweight world champion
"I predict a brutal Joshua win, early. It won't go past three rounds. Do not blink."

Prediction - Joshua

Dave Coldwell - trainer
"AJ will win whenever he wants - it's a run-out for him. Prenga has a flattering record, but if you look at his style, he's pretty cumbersome. Prenga will walk on to shots but AJ's class, his jab and his power punch will have a massive impact. It depends if Joshua wants a few rounds and to practise what he's been doing with his new team.

"It will last as long as Joshua wants it to - maybe four or five rounds."

Prediction - Joshua

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]