Anthony Joshua hit the scales on Friday and registered a weight of 251 pounds, marking a 7.6‑pound increase from his last bout, a December 2025 clash with YouTube sensation Jake Paul, where he tipped the scales at 243.4 pounds. The British heavyweight is now set to travel to Jeddah for a Saturday night showdown with Albanian contender Kristian Prenga.
The weigh‑in highlighted a notable size differential: Prenga arrived at 261.4 pounds, roughly 10.4 pounds heavier than Joshua. While the 251‑pound mark is not the heaviest the former world champion has ever been—he peaked at 255.4 pounds when he stopped Jermaine Franklin in April 2023—it does represent a clear shift in his physical preparation as he moves toward a larger opponent. "We're feeling good. It's going down tomorrow night in Jeddah," Joshua told DAZN Boxing after the weigh‑in, exuding confidence despite the added bulk.
The timing of the event coincides with a recent victory from fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury, who secured a seventh‑round technical knockout over Mariusz Wach in Thailand. Fury, while celebrating his win, expressed skepticism about Joshua’s chances against Prenga, noting that the Albanian fighter’s power and recent form could pose serious challenges. Prenga, now 35, arrives with an impressive résumé: out of 21 professional fights he has suffered only a single defeat, and he has finished his last 16 opponents by knockout or TKO. Such a streak underscores his reputation as a hard‑hitting, aggressive competitor who rarely leaves a fight to the judges.
The Albanian camp says the entire nation is rallying behind their representative, adding a layer of national pride to the bout. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, echoed the sentiment that this will be a tough test. "The work is done and this isn’t going to be easy," he said to DAZN Boxing. "[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 the other side; we've just got to deal with this guy tonight. I expect, and I hope, that we get a performance that shows everything that Joshua has put into this training camp." Since his December 2025 bout with Paul, Joshua has been quiet inside the ring, but his training camp has been anything but.
He has been working closely with the team of Oleksandr Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion who now holds the heavyweight crown. Usyk’s camp has been urging Joshua to tap into a higher level of performance, urging him to "show greatness" against Prenga. "I’m quite good at what I do anyway," Joshua told Sky Sports. "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. And my approach to training has definitely improved a lot." He added that the expectations set by Usyk’s team are not about occasional flashes of brilliance but about consistent, daily excellence. "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," Joshua explained. This mindset reflects a shift from relying on natural talent to a more disciplined, methodical preparation routine. Beyond the immediate fight, the event in Jeddah is part of a broader summer of heavyweight action.
Fans can also look forward to other marquee match‑ups, such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both scheduled for Sunday night on Sky Sports. Those fights provide additional context for the heavyweight landscape, where power, speed, and tactical acumen are all on display.
In summary, Joshua’s increased weight, the size advantage of Prenga, and the high stakes of a fight in Saudi Arabia combine to set the stage for a compelling contest. With the backing of Usyk’s coaching staff, a promoter confident in his fighter’s preparation, and a challenger riding a wave of knockout momentum, the bout promises to test Joshua’s adaptability, power, and resilience. Whether the extra pounds translate into greater punch resistance or hinder his speed will be a key storyline, as will Prenga’s ability to impose his size and power on a seasoned champion.
The world will be watching on Saturday night, eager to see if Joshua can rise to the occasion and deliver the performance his team has been urging him to showcase.