Former heavyweight trainer Ben Davison, who has spent time in the corners of both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, says that Joshua is making a sensible choice by arranging a tune‑up fight before his highly anticipated clash with Fury. Joshua is slated to step back into the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, where he will face Kristian Prenga, a bout that will serve as a final test before the British heavyweight showdown later in the year.
Some observers worry that adding another fight to Joshua’s schedule could create an extra obstacle on the road to the Fury encounter. Davison, however, believes the opposite. He told Sky Sports that the recent car accident involving Joshua has left the champion with undisclosed injuries, and a low‑stakes fight is the best way to confirm that his body is fully recovered and ready for the ultimate challenge.
"Everyone knows about the crash and the injuries that came with it," Davison explained. "You want to make sure his body is in good shape before stepping into a fight of that magnitude, and that’s a logical step. Tyson has just had his own tune‑up, so it makes sense for Anthony to do the same." Davison also highlighted Joshua’s habit of keeping any physical setbacks private. "He’s always been very discreet about injuries," the trainer said.
"Whether he wins or loses, he never makes a public spectacle of what’s going on inside his body. He just takes it on the chin, works quietly, and that resilience is something to admire." Having worked intensively with both of the UK’s heavyweight stars, Davison occupies a unique position. He does not want to speculate on the outcome of the eventual Joshua‑Fury bout, but he does see clear parallels between the two fighters. "When you reach that elite level, both men have the capacity to win," he noted.
"The result will ultimately depend on how each of them approaches the night, and I can’t predict their strategies." What Davison does stress is that, at their core, both athletes are good‑natured individuals, even if their public personas differ dramatically. "Their approach to the showmanship side of boxing is almost opposite," he observed. "Yet both have revolutionised the sport in the United Kingdom, changing the landscape for everyone who follows it.
That alone says a lot about their impact." The trainer also pointed out the mental and emotional toll that comes with such high‑profile careers. "The pressures they face, the expectations placed on them, and the constant scrutiny are things most people can’t even begin to understand," Davison said.
"There’s a massive amount of pressure, a huge burden of expectation, and countless fans and stakeholders relying on their performance. It’s a heavy load, and we can only commend what they have achieved despite those challenges." Davison expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with both champions, describing the experience as a privilege. "I feel extremely lucky, grateful, and blessed to have been part of their journeys," he said. "Both men have contributed enormously to boxing, and I’m proud to have played a role in their stories." In summary, Ben Davison believes that Joshua’s decision to schedule a preparatory fight against Kristian Prenga is a prudent move that will allow him to assess his physical condition after the recent accident and fine‑tune his preparation for the eventual showdown with Tyson Fury.
While the outcome of that future bout remains uncertain, the trainer’s insights underscore the professionalism, resilience, and dedication that both heavyweight stars bring to the sport. The upcoming warm‑up fight will not only serve as a health check for Joshua but also as a valuable stepping stone toward what promises to be one of the most significant heavyweight contests in recent British boxing history.