Anthony Joshua hit the scales on Friday, tipping the scales at 251 pounds, a noticeable increase of 7.6 pounds compared with his weight when he faced Jake Paul in December 2025. The British heavyweight is set to step into the ring against Albanian contender Kristian Prenga on Saturday night in Jeddah, and the weigh‑in has added another talking point to the buildup.
When Joshua measured in at 251 pounds, his opponent Prenga was even heavier, registering a weight of 261.4 pounds. That puts the Albanian fighter roughly 10.4 pounds above Joshua, giving the matchup a clear size contrast that analysts will be watching closely. For context, Joshua’s heaviest recorded fight weight to date was 255.4 pounds, a figure he reached in his April 2023 bout against Jermaine Franklin.
The current 251‑pound mark therefore sits just below his personal maximum, suggesting he has not been trying to bulk up excessively for this contest. The weigh‑in took place amid a flurry of other heavyweight news.
Earlier in the week, Tyson Fury secured a seventh‑round technical knockout over Mariusz Wach in Thailand, a victory he described as a test he had successfully passed. However, Fury expressed doubts about Joshua’s ability to overcome Prenga, hinting that the Albanian’s power and recent form could pose serious problems for the British champion. Prenga, now 35 years old, arrives in Jeddah with a résumé that reads like a knockout catalog. In his 21‑fight career he has suffered only a single defeat, and impressively, he has won his last 16 contests by way of knockout or technical knockout.
Such a streak underscores his reputation as a relentless aggressor who rarely leaves his opponents standing. The Albanian fighter also enjoys the backing of his nation; reports suggest that the entire country of Albania is rallying behind him, adding a patriotic fervor to the bout. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, emphasized the magnitude of the challenge during a pre‑fight interview with DAZN Boxing. "The work is done and this isn’t going to be easy," Hearn said, noting that Prenga is not a journeyman looking for a payday but a serious contender with a solid record.
He highlighted the national support Prenga enjoys and framed the fight as a "big opportunity" for Joshua to demonstrate the fruits of his training camp. Since his last fight in December 2025, Joshua has been sharpening his skills alongside the camp of Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian former champion who now assists in Joshua’s preparation.
Usyk’s team has been vocal about wanting Joshua to display a higher level of performance, urging him to "show greatness" against Prenga. In a candid conversation with Sky Sports, Joshua reflected on this guidance, saying, "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.
Let’s bring out the good stuff that you’ve got in you and let’s improve." He added that the advice from Usyk’s camp has reshaped his training mindset: "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 shift suggests a focus not only on physical preparation but also on mental consistency, aiming to make elite performance a routine rather than a rare occurrence. The upcoming fight in Jeddah promises to be a clash of styles: Joshua’s technical boxing and experience versus Prenga’s raw power and knockout pedigree.
Fans can expect a high‑energy encounter, with both fighters looking to impose their will early. Joshua will likely aim to use his jab and movement to neutralize Prenga’s aggression, while the Albanian will probably press forward, seeking to land the decisive blow that has become his trademark. Beyond the immediate stakes, the bout holds broader implications for the heavyweight division.
A victory for Joshua could re‑establish him as a top‑tier contender after a period of inactivity, potentially opening doors to future marquee matchups, perhaps even a unification bout. Conversely, a win for Prenga would catapult him into global recognition, positioning him as a legitimate threat to the current hierarchy and possibly earning him a shot at the heavyweight crown.
The event will be broadcast live on DAZN Boxing, with additional coverage on Sky Sports for viewers in the United Kingdom. For those without a traditional cable subscription, the fight can also be streamed via the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free option to watch the action as it unfolds.
In summary, the weigh‑in has highlighted a notable weight disparity, with Prenga entering the ring heavier than Joshua. Both fighters have made adjustments in the lead‑up: Joshua through collaboration with Usyk’s team and a renewed focus on daily excellence, and Prenga by maintaining his knockout rhythm and drawing national support. As the lights turn on in Jeddah on Saturday night, the heavyweight world will be watching closely to see which athlete can translate preparation into performance and claim victory in what promises to be a compelling showdown.