As fight week kicks off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 36-year-old British heavyweight icon Anthony Joshua has cut a noticeably different figure for his much-anticipated comeback bout on Saturday, greeting reporters with warm laughter, thanking traveling fans and even inviting a large group of Albanian supporters to bring their loudest energy to the ring. This weekend’s clash against Albanian contender Kristian Prenga marks Joshua’s first fight since a devastating car crash in Nigeria last December claimed the lives of two of his closest friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
A win this Saturday would put Joshua one step away from a blockbuster all-British heavyweight title fight against Tyson Fury, provided Fury secures a victory in his own warm-up bout against Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Thailand this Friday. Speaking at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference in the sweltering Jeddah heat, Joshua laid out his long-term ambition while keeping his focus firmly on the immediate task ahead. “We’ve been working since January, working hard, keeping my head down and aligning all my stars,” Joshua explained. “I’m fully focused. I understand there’s a big picture. The goal is to conquer the universe, right? But first we must conquer Earth. And this is my target here.”
Joshua’s last fight before the tragic crash was a stoppage win over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, but the British star has not claimed victory over a top-tier established heavyweight since outpointing Otto Wallin in December 2023. His upcoming opponent, 35-year-old Prenga, now trains out of New Jersey and holds an impressive 20-1 professional record with all 20 wins coming by knockout. Even so, Prenga has never faced an opponent of Joshua’s caliber, a fact that did not stop the underdog from predicting a knockout upset this weekend. When asked for his reaction to Prenga’s bold claim, Joshua remained calm and confident. “Can he knock me out? I really don’t believe it,” he said. “But only God knows that.” Prenga’s manager has framed the bout as a “real-life Rocky moment” for the little-known challenger.
Long-time observers of Joshua have noted a clear shift in his demeanor this fight week. For most of his career, the Watford-born fighter has been reserved during media obligations, often keeping interactions brief and staying guarded behind his signature headphones. This time around, the headphones were nowhere to be seen. He joked with the press conference host about wearing a formal blazer in the oppressive desert heat, and greeted cheering fans before taking his place on stage. With a professional record of 29 wins (26 by stoppage) and four losses, Joshua says his decades of experience in the sport have left him ready for any challenge Saturday will bring. “I’ve been in the ring with some of the quickest heavyweights, some of the fittest heavyweights. I’ve fought some of the strongest heavyweights,” Joshua said. “I’ve fought contenders. I’ve fought champions. I’ve been knocked down. I’ve been knocked out. I stand strong today and I’m ready for the challenge one million per cent.”
When an Albanian fan shouted from the crowd “You ain’t ready”, Joshua welcomed the confrontation instead of brushing it off, responding: “We’re going to find out on Saturday and I want to hear your voice shouting. I want that energy in the ring.”
Talk predictably turned to Fury, who is scheduled to travel to Jeddah from Thailand immediately after his Friday warm-up bout to scout Joshua’s performance. Promoter Eddie Hearn says that if both men win this week, the long-negotiated all-British showdown between Joshua and Fury could take place later this year, adding that “many, many more chapters to write” remain in Joshua’s career. Joshua, however, declined to be drawn into discussion of the potential superfight, choosing to keep all attention on Prenga and his team. “We don’t want to talk about Tyson Fury,” he said. “Respectfully, I’ve done all the media I can about what the future holds. Our focus is [Prenga] and his team. Let’s focus on the job. Anyone can be there on Saturday. The more tickets sold, the better.”