Eddie Hearn has made it crystal clear that Anthony Joshua must put an end to Kristian Prenga’s challenge before the Albanian fighter can even think about upsetting the plans for a future showdown with Tyson Fury. The upcoming bout in Saudi Arabia this Saturday is being billed as a decisive test for Joshua, who is expected to dispatch the 20‑year‑old Prenga – who boasts a flawless 20‑1 record with all of his victories coming by knockout – in order to keep the pathway to a blockbuster all‑British clash with Fury in November wide open.
Prenga is, by most accounts, something of a mystery man. While his record looks impressive on paper, he has never faced a name of Joshua’s stature, and the British heavyweight will become the most prominent name on the Albanian’s résumé simply by stepping into the ring with him. Hearn, however, did not ignore the fact that Prenga’s perfect win‑to‑knockout ratio could cause a flicker of unease.
The promoter emphasized that Joshua needs to land the decisive blow early, taking the initiative and preventing any chance for the under‑dog to turn the tables. "AJ is taking this fight very seriously," Hearn told Sky Sports. "Prenga has 20 wins, 20 knockouts, so he can definitely punch.
Is he at AJ’s level? I don’t think so, but he’s never been at that level, so until he has, you never truly know. Prenga was selected to be a good test, a stiff challenge, but someone AJ should beat in style. But heavyweight boxing is heavyweight boxing." The promoter’s remarks underline a classic heavyweight narrative: a seasoned champion versus a hungry, power‑packed prospect.
While Hearn believes Joshua should dominate, he also acknowledges the unpredictable nature of the sport – a single well‑placed punch can change everything. That is why the plan, according to Hearn, is to neutralise Prenga as quickly as possible, removing any opportunity for the Albanian to mount a comeback or, worse, land a knockout of his own. In the lead‑up to the fight, the media has been peppering the conversation with headlines such as "'Ferocious' AJ primed for Prenga fireworks" and "Prenga can beat AJ like Ruiz did," highlighting the speculative angle that Prenga could pull off an upset similar to Andy Ruiz Jr.’s shock victory over Anthony Joshua in 2019. Hearn, however, remains confident that the British fighter’s experience and preparation will see him through.
He also pointed out that Joshua has endured a tumultuous seven months, dealing with setbacks, training changes, and the lingering pressure of reclaiming a world title. "There will be a few fingers crossed going into this one because of what's at the other end," Hearn said.
"It won’t be easy. You’ve got to take this guy out before he takes you out, and that’s what AJ will be intending to do on Saturday." Beyond the immediate stakes, Hearn framed the Prenga bout as the first major hurdle on Joshua’s road to a possible world‑title resurgence in 2027. The second, according to the promoter, is the eagerly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury. Hearn believes that a victory over Prenga will set the stage for Joshua to defeat Fury in November, after which the former champion can aim to become a three‑time heavyweight world champion.
"Right now, AJ is motivated to continue as long as he can while he feels like he’s still got it," Hearn added. "Every performance will tell us where he’s at and Saturday will be no different. We know that if we win on Saturday, he’s fighting Tyson Fury in November. In our mind, we win that fight and then 2027 is all about trying to recapture that world championship, with the belts quite fragmented now in the sport.
So, two big assignments lie ahead before the world championship comes, but the way he’s talking, the end is not nigh." During the pre‑fight press conference, Joshua himself underscored the importance of the Prenga encounter. "I understand there is a big picture," he said. "The goal is to conquer the universe. But first we must conquer earth.
Prenga is my target. It’s my coach against his coach, my physio against his physio, my strategist against his strategist, this fighter against that fighter. The reality of the matter is there is no universe, no future, unless I get past this checkpoint on Saturday night." The language Joshua used – likening the fight to a checkpoint on a larger mission – reflects his mindset of treating the bout as a stepping stone rather than an isolated event. By framing the match as a necessary conquest before he can pursue grander ambitions, he signals both confidence and a willingness to engage fully with the challenge.
From a tactical standpoint, analysts expect Joshua to utilise his superior jab, footwork, and ring IQ to dictate the pace, while looking for openings to unleash his own power shots. Prenga, on the other hand, will likely rely on his raw knockout power, hoping to catch Joshua off‑guard with a single, fight‑ending blow. The contrast in styles sets up a classic heavyweight duel: technique and experience versus raw aggression.
If Joshua succeeds in neutralising Prenga early, it will not only preserve his health for the looming Fury fight but also send a clear message to the heavyweight division that he remains a force to be reckoned with. Conversely, any sign of vulnerability could embolden other contenders, potentially reshaping the landscape of the division. In summary, Eddie Hearn’s message is unequivocal: Anthony Joshua must extinguish the Prenga threat swiftly and decisively. The fight in Saudi Arabia is more than a mere tune‑up; it is a pivotal moment that could either cement Joshua’s path toward a high‑profile bout with Tyson Fury and a bid for a third world title or expose cracks that opponents could exploit.
The stakes are high, the narrative is compelling, and the world will be watching to see whether AJ can indeed "conquer the universe" by first conquering the earth beneath his feet.