Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Eddie Hearn has urged Anthony Joshua to finish off Christian Prenga before he has the slightest chance to derail plans for a Tyson Fury showdown.
Prenga (20-1-0, 20 KOs) is expected to beat Saudi Arabia on Saturday, paving the way for a blockbuster all-British showdown with Fury in November.
Prenga is something of an unknown quantity, Joshua will become by some distance the biggest and most recognizable name on the Albanian’s fight resume.
But Hearn admits Prenga’s perfect win-to-knockout ratio has raised some alarm levels and made it imperative for Joshua to strike first.
“AJ is taking this fight very seriously,” Hearn said Sky Sports. “Prenga’s 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 is, you never really know.
“Prenga was chosen as a good test, a tough challenge, but someone should beat AJ in style. But heavyweight boxing is heavyweight boxing.
“Anthony has had to deal with a lot in the last seven months and a few fingers crossed because of what’s at the other end.
“It’s not going to be easy. You’ve got to take this guy in before he takes you out, and that’s what AJ will want to do on Saturday.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Anthony Joshua and Christian Prenga face off ahead of their fight. Image courtesy of DAZNBoxing
Hearn says Prenga represents the first major assignment that Joshua must navigate if he is to fulfill his hopes of regaining the world heavyweight title in 2027.
The second will be a hotly-anticipated fight against Fury, which Haron believes Joshua will win before setting his sights on becoming a three-time world champion.
‘The end is not near for AJ’
“Right now, AJ is motivated to keep going as long as he can when he feels like he’s still got it,” Hearn added.
“Every performance will tell us where he is at and Saturday will be no different. We know that if we win on Saturday, he will fight Tyson Fury in November.
“In our minds, we won that fight and then 2027 is about trying to reclaim that world championship, the belts are pretty fragmented in the sport now.
“So, there are two big assignments ahead before the World Championships, but the way he talks, the end is not near.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Barry Hearn has backed Anthony Joshua to beat Tyson Fury when the British rivals finally meet later this year, insisting Wembley Stadium is the ideal venue for fans.
AJ: Prenga is ‘first checkpoint’
Speaking at the pre-fight press conference, Joshua highlighted how important it is to secure a win against Prenga.
“I understand there’s a bigger picture,” Joshua 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 this fighter.
“The fact of the matter is there is no universe, no future, unless I cross this checkpoint on Saturday night.”
