Anthony Joshua stepped onto the scales on Friday and recorded a weight of 251 pounds, a noticeable increase of 7.6 pounds compared with the 243.4 pounds he tipped the scale at when he faced Jake Paul in December 2025. The British heavyweight is now set to meet Albanian contender Kristian Prenga in Jeddah on Saturday night, and the weigh‑in numbers have already become a talking point among fans and pundits.
The official weigh‑in showed Joshua at 251 pounds, while his opponent, Prenga, tipped the scales at a solid 261.4 pounds. That puts the Albanian fighter roughly 10.4 pounds heavier than the former world champion. For context, Joshua’s heaviest recorded fighting weight to date was 255.4 pounds when he knocked out Jermaine Franklin in April 2023, meaning he is still a few pounds lighter than his own historic maximum. Prenga, on the other hand, has been building a reputation as a powerful, hard‑hitting heavyweight.
He enters the bout with a record of 20 wins and a single loss, and impressively, his last 16 victories have all come by way of knockout or technical knockout, underscoring his reputation as a finisher. The upcoming bout arrives on the heels of a high‑profile victory for Tyson Fury, who secured a seventh‑round TKO over Mariusz Wach in Thailand. Fury, ever the outspoken champion, praised his own performance but expressed skepticism about Joshua’s chances against Prenga, suggesting that the Albanian’s size and power could pose a serious challenge for the British star.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead. In a candid interview with DAZN Boxing, Hearn said, "The work is done and this isn’t going to be easy. Prenga isn’t a guy coming in here with a bundle of defeats; he’s got the whole of Albania behind him.
It’s a big fight, a big opportunity, and we have to handle it tonight." Hearn’s confidence, however, is tempered with realism – he hopes to see a performance that reflects the months of preparation Joshua has invested in his training camp. Since his last fight against Paul, Joshua has been working closely with the camp of Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian former undisputed champion who now trains his own stable of fighters. Joshua disclosed that Usyk’s team have been urging him to "show greatness" against Prenga, pushing him to raise the bar beyond merely doing enough to win.
"I’m quite good at what I do anyway," Joshua told Sky Sports. "I’m strong, I can take a punch and I can give one back. But the team wants more – they want to see the best of me, to bring out the good stuff and improve every day." He added that the guidance from Usyk’s camp focuses on consistency: "You’re performing at your best, but it should be normal to perform at this level.
That’s what Usyk’s team were saying. Your greatness should just be something you do every day in the gym." This mindset suggests that Joshua is not only preparing physically but also mentally, aiming to make elite performance a habit rather than a one‑off event.
The contrast in size between the two fighters adds a tactical dimension to the showdown. Prenga’s 261‑pound frame gives him a natural weight advantage, potentially translating into greater punching power and the ability to impose his will in the clinch.
Joshua, while slightly lighter, brings a blend of speed, technical skill, and experience at the highest levels of the sport. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Joshua can neutralize Prenga’s size advantage with movement, timing, and precision. Beyond the immediate fight, the bout carries broader implications for the heavyweight division.
A victory for Joshua would reinforce his position as a top contender and possibly set up a future clash with the likes of Fury or even a rematch with Usyk, depending on how the rankings shift. Conversely, a win for Prenga could catapult the Albanian onto the world stage, turning him into a fresh challenger for the established elite and giving Albania a new sporting hero to rally behind. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN Boxing, with a reminder for viewers to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience.
In addition to the main event, fans can look forward to undercard action featuring Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated for a Sunday night slot on Sky Sports. Those without a traditional cable subscription can stream the fights via the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free option. As the countdown to Saturday night in Jeddah continues, the boxing community is abuzz with speculation, analysis, and anticipation. Joshua’s increased weight, his partnership with Usyk’s camp, and the formidable knockout streak of Prenga all combine to create a narrative rich with intrigue.
Whether Joshua can harness his experience and the strategic insights from his new trainers to overcome the physical challenge posed by Prenga will be the story that unfolds in the ring, and it promises to be a memorable chapter in heavyweight boxing history.