Anthony Joshua appeared on the weigh‑in stage weighing 251 pounds, a noticeable increase of 7.6 pounds compared with the 243.4 pounds he logged when he faced YouTube sensation Jake Paul in December 2025. The British heavyweight is set to clash with Albania’s rising contender Kristian Prenga on Saturday night in Jeddah, and the numbers on the scale have become a talking point among fans and pundits alike. The Friday weigh‑in showed Joshua at 251 pounds, while Prenga tipped the scales at 261.4 pounds, giving the Albanian fighter a 10.4‑pound advantage.
For context, Joshua’s heaviest recorded fight weight was 255.4 pounds when he knocked out Jermaine Franklin in April 2023, so his current mark sits slightly below that peak but remains well above his recent average. The weight differential has sparked speculation about how the extra mass might affect speed, stamina, and power on the night of the bout.
Both fighters have been in the spotlight for reasons beyond the numbers. Earlier in the week, Tyson Fury secured a seventh‑round technical knockout over Mariusz Wach in Thailand, a victory that added another chapter to Fury’s storied career.
After his win, Fury remarked that while he had passed his own test, he remained skeptical about Joshua’s ability to overcome Prenga’s challenge. The 35‑year‑old Albanian, who has only one loss on his record, boasts an impressive streak of 16 consecutive wins, each coming by way of knockout or technical knockout. Such a run underscores his reputation as a hard‑hitting, aggressive contender who can finish fights decisively. Eddie Hearn, the promoter behind Joshua, addressed the upcoming contest in an interview with DAZN Boxing.
He emphasized that Prenga is not a mere payday opponent; rather, he arrives with a clean record and the full backing of Albania’s passionate fan base. Hearn said, "The work is done and this isn’t going to be easy. [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." Joshua’s preparation has been noteworthy for its collaborative nature.
Since his last ring appearance against Paul, he has been training alongside Oleksandr Usyk’s team, a partnership that aims to blend Usyk’s technical finesse with Joshua’s power. In a candid conversation with Sky Sports, Joshua explained that the Ukrainian champion’s camp has been urging him to elevate his performance, to "show greatness" against Prenga.
He 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. 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 daily grind in the gym should become a baseline for 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." The upcoming fight carries significant implications for both careers. For Joshua, a victory would reinforce his status as a top‑tier heavyweight and potentially set up future marquee match‑ups, perhaps even a rematch with Fury or a clash with another elite contender.
For Prenga, defeating a former world champion like Joshua would catapult him into the global spotlight and likely secure a lucrative contract and higher‑profile opponents. Beyond the fighters, the event is being promoted as a major sporting moment for Saudi Arabia, with Jeddah’s venue expected to draw a sizable crowd and a worldwide television audience via DAZN and Sky Sports.
The promotion has also encouraged fans to use Chrome for the most reliable video playback, highlighting the technical considerations of streaming a high‑stakes boxing night. In addition to the main event, the broadcast schedule includes undercard bouts that promise excitement.
Viewers can look forward to Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated for a Sunday night slot at 10 p.m. on Sky Sports. The network offers flexible viewing options, including a subscription‑free stream on the NOW platform, ensuring that fans worldwide can tune in without contractual obligations.
As the night approaches, the narrative surrounding the fight continues to build. Analysts will be watching how Joshua manages his slightly increased weight, whether it translates into added power or hampers his mobility. Meanwhile, Prenga’s ability to leverage his size advantage while maintaining his knockout rhythm will be under scrutiny. Both camps have expressed confidence, but the only certainty in boxing is that the outcome will be decided inside the ring, where skill, strategy, and heart converge.
"We’re feeling good. It’s going down tomorrow night in Jeddah," Joshua told DAZN Boxing, encapsulating the optimism and anticipation that surrounds the bout.
Whether that confidence translates into a dominant performance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the heavyweight division is poised for another memorable chapter, and fans around the globe are ready to witness it.