Anthony Joshua hit the scales on Friday and registered a weight of 251 pounds, a noticeable increase of 7.6 pounds compared with the 243.4 pounds he tipped the scales at when he faced Jake Paul in December 2025. The British heavyweight is set to square off against Albania’s Kristian Prenga on Saturday night in Jeddah, and the weigh‑in numbers have already sparked plenty of analysis among fans and pundits.
Prenga, who entered the weigh‑in at 261.4 pounds, tipped the scales 10.4 pounds heavier than Joshua. It is worth noting that the 35‑year‑old Albanian is not new to the heavyweight limelight; he has compiled an impressive record of 21 fights, suffering only a single defeat and rattling off 16 consecutive victories by knockout or technical knockout. Such a streak has earned him a reputation as a powerful finisher, and his physical size this week adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming clash. For Joshua, the 251‑pound mark is comfortably below his career‑high weight of 255.4 pounds, which he carried when he knocked out Jermaine Franklin in April 2023.
Still, the modest rise from his December bout suggests a deliberate approach to his conditioning, perhaps aimed at preserving speed while adding a touch more power for a fighter of Prenga’s size. In the lead‑up to the event, Joshua expressed confidence, telling DAZN Boxing, “We’re feeling good. It’s going down tomorrow night in Jeddah.” His optimism was echoed by his promoter, Eddie Hearn, who emphasized the seriousness of the challenge: “Prenga isn’t a guy coming in here with a bundle of defeats, coming for a payday. He’s got the whole of Albania behind him, by the sounds of things as well.
Big fight, big opportunity. We know what comes on the other side; we’ve just got to deal with this guy tonight.” Hearn added that he expects a performance that showcases the hard work Joshua has poured into his training camp. The weigh‑in also followed a notable victory for fellow British champion Tyson Fury, who secured a seventh‑round technical knockout over Mariusz Wach in Thailand.
Fury, after his win, hinted that Joshua would have a tough night, stating that he was doubtful Prenga could be overcome despite Fury’s own recent success. Joshua’s preparation for Prenga has been distinctive this time around.
Since his last fight against Paul, he has been training alongside Oleksandr Usyk’s team, a partnership that has reportedly pushed him to raise his standards. In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Joshua said, “I’m quite good at what I do anyway. 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.” He explained that Usyk’s camp has encouraged him to “show greatness” and to treat elite performance as a daily habit rather than a rare occurrence. The British boxer 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.” This mindset shift appears to be a central theme of his current camp, focusing on consistency, intensity, and a willingness to evolve his skill set. Beyond the immediate stakes of the Jeddah bout, the fight carries broader implications for the heavyweight division.
A victory for Joshua would reinforce his position as a top‑tier contender and potentially set up further high‑profile match‑ups, while a loss could open the door for Prenga to become a new force on the global stage. The Albanian’s unbeaten streak and knockout power make him a tantalizing prospect, especially given his support base at home, where fans have rallied behind him as a national hero.
The event also highlights the growing international flavor of heavyweight boxing, with fights now being staged in locations like Saudi Arabia and Thailand, and athletes traveling across continents to compete. This global expansion has brought new audiences, sponsorship opportunities, and a fresh dynamism to the sport.
Fans eager to watch the showdown can tune in via DAZN Boxing, which has recommended using the Chrome browser for the best video experience. In addition, Sky Sports will broadcast other marquee fights on the same weekend, including Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated for a Sunday night slot. As the final hours tick down, the boxing world will be watching closely to see whether Joshua can translate his training camp improvements into a decisive victory over a larger, knockout‑hungry opponent, or whether Prenga will seize the moment and add a major name to his résumé.
Either way, the bout promises to deliver drama, power, and a clear statement about where each fighter stands in the heavyweight hierarchy.