Anthony Joshua stepped onto the weigh‑in platform on Friday and registered a weight of 251 pounds, a noticeable increase of 7.6 pounds from the 243.4 pounds he tipped the scales at when he faced Jake Paul in December 2025. The British heavyweight is now set to travel to Jeddah for a Saturday night showdown against Albania’s rising contender Kristian Prenga. The numbers tell a story of two fighters at opposite ends of a weight spectrum. While Joshua tipped the scale at 251 pounds, Prenga arrived at a heftier 261.4 pounds, making the Albanian about ten and a half pounds heavier than the former champion.
For context, Joshua’s heaviest recorded fight weight came back in April 2023 when he stepped into the ring against Jermaine Franklin at 255.4 pounds, so his current figure sits slightly below that personal peak. The weigh‑in was not the only headline‑making event in the boxing world this week.
In Thailand, Tyson Fury secured a seventh‑round technical knockout over Mariusz Wach, a victory that prompted Fury to comment that he had “got through” his own test but expressed doubts about Joshua’s ability to overcome Prenga in the upcoming bout. Fury’s remarks added an extra layer of intrigue, suggesting that the British boxer would have to bring more than just size to the ring.
Prenga, the 35‑year‑old Albanian, arrives with an impressive résumé: out of 21 professional fights he has suffered only a single defeat, and he has finished his last 16 contests by way of knockout or technical knockout. This streak of decisive victories has earned him a reputation as a powerful puncher with a relentless offensive style, and he carries the hopes of an entire nation behind him. The Albanian camp has been vocal about the support they expect, describing Prenga as a fighter who is not simply chasing a payday but is driven by national pride and personal ambition. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, addressed the media on DAZN Boxing, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead.
“The work is done and this isn’t going to be easy,” Hearn said, emphasizing that Prenga does not come with a long list of losses and that the Albanian enjoys strong backing from his home country. He framed the encounter as a “big fight, big opportunity,” and expressed confidence that Joshua would showcase the results of his intensive training camp. In preparation for the Jeddah bout, Joshua has been training alongside the team of fellow Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk.
The collaboration has been described as a blending of experience and fresh perspective, with Usyk’s camp urging Joshua to “show greatness” in the upcoming fight. Joshua himself spoke to Sky Sports about the influence of the new training environment, noting that the guidance he receives pushes him to exceed his own expectations.
“I’m quite good at what I do anyway,” he said. “I’m quite strong. I can take, I can give, so sometimes I can just get away with doing enough but still be good enough.
But these guys are like, ‘nah.’ They want to see more. They want to see more, like bring it out.” Joshua elaborated on the mindset that Usyk’s team has instilled in him: “Let’s bring out the good stuff that you’ve got in you and let’s improve. My approach to training has definitely improved a lot.” He added, “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 that you do every day in the gym.” These comments illustrate a shift from merely maintaining a high standard to making that high standard the baseline of his daily work ethic. The upcoming fight promises a clash of styles as well as a test of physicality. Joshua, known for his technical boxing skills, footwork, and strategic use of the jab, will have to contend with Prenga’s raw power and high knockout ratio. The weight difference, while not massive, could translate into an advantage in terms of punch resistance and power generation for the Albanian.
Conversely, Joshua’s experience at the highest levels of the sport, including multiple world title reigns and high‑profile bouts, may give him the tactical edge needed to navigate Prenga’s aggression. Beyond the immediate matchup, the event holds broader significance for the heavyweight division. A victory for Joshua would re‑establish him as a top contender after a hiatus since his December 2025 bout with Paul, potentially opening doors to future mega‑fights against other elite heavyweights. For Prenga, a win would catapult him onto the global stage, turning the Albanian fighter into a household name and likely securing him a spot in the next round of title contention.
Fans can tune in to the fight live on DAZN Boxing, with the promotion urging viewers to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. In addition to the main event, the broadcast will feature undercard action, including Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, scheduled to air from New York at 10 p.m. on Sunday via Sky Sports or the NOW streaming service.
As the final hours tick down, the boxing world watches with anticipation. Joshua’s camp believes the training adjustments and mental focus will translate into a dominant performance, while Prenga’s supporters are confident that his unbeaten streak and knockout power will prove decisive. Regardless of the outcome, the Jeddah showdown is set to be a pivotal chapter in the narrative of heavyweight boxing, offering drama, national pride, and the timeless allure of two warriors testing their limits on the grandest stage.