Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga: Briton embraces comeback spotlight before fight in Saudi Arabia - BBC

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Anthony Joshua appeared unusually at ease at a news conference in Jeddah on Thursday before his comeback fight against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The 36-year-old British heavyweight thanked travelling supporters and even urged Albanian fans backing Prenga to bring their noise and “energy” to the arena, while saying his immediate focus remained on the fight in front of him.

The bout is Joshua’s first since a fatal car crash in Nigeria last December that killed two close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua last fought shortly before that incident, stopping Jake Paul in Miami, but BBC Sport notes he has not defeated an established heavyweight since beating Otto Wallin in December 2023. His record stands at 29 wins, including 26 stoppages, and four defeats.

Prenga, a 35-year-old Albanian now based in New Jersey, has 20 knockout wins and one loss, though the BBC says he has not previously faced an opponent of Joshua’s calibre. Prenga’s manager Keith Sullivan framed the contest as a major underdog opportunity, and Prenga predicted a knockout win. Joshua dismissed the idea as unlikely but said the answer would come in the ring.

The fight also matters because a Joshua victory could help set up a long-discussed all-British heavyweight meeting with Tyson Fury, provided Fury wins his own warm-up bout against Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday. Promoter Eddie Hearn pointed to further major chapters in Joshua’s career, but Joshua tried to steer attention away from Fury and back toward Prenga.