Ready to 'conquer Earth' - Joshua embraces comeback spotlight

What the report says

BBC Africa, carrying BBC Sport reporting, says Anthony Joshua cut a notably calm figure at a news conference in Jeddah ahead of his heavyweight comeback against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The 36-year-old British fighter thanked travelling supporters and even welcomed vocal backing for his Albanian opponent, telling them to bring energy to the arena.

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 said he had been training since January and was focused on the immediate task, while framing his wider ambitions in expansive terms. He also dismissed, without bravado, Prenga’s prediction of a knockout win, saying only that he did not believe it would happen.

Prenga, 35, is an Albanian puncher now based in New Jersey. The BBC reported that he has 20 knockout wins and one defeat, but has not previously boxed anyone of Joshua’s calibre. Joshua’s own record is listed as 29 wins, including 26 stoppages, and four losses. His last win over an established heavyweight came against Otto Wallin in December 2023, though he stopped Jake Paul shortly before the crash.

The fight also matters because it could help set up a long-discussed all-British meeting with Tyson Fury, provided Fury beats Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday. Promoter Eddie Hearn said Joshua’s career still has many chapters, but Joshua resisted being drawn into future plans, saying the focus remains on Prenga and Saturday’s contest.