Promoter Barry Hearn has predicted a difficult night for Kristian Prenga when he faces Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight contest in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
The fight will mark Joshua’s first appearance of 2026 and his return to the ring after a tragic December car accident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
The bout is expected to serve as preparation for Joshua’s highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury, which has already been agreed for November.
Although Prenga enters the fight with an unbeaten record and 20 victories by knockout, Joshua remains the clear favourite to secure another win before turning his attention to Fury.
Hearn believes the tragedy Joshua experienced has changed his mentality, saying the former world champion has adopted a more intense approach to training since joining Oleksandr Usyk’s camp.
“Saturday night, I think it will be a very, very painful night for Mr Prenga. Good luck to him. I hope he gets well paid,” Hearn told ESPN.
He added that Joshua’s experience with the loss of his friends had given him a renewed sense of purpose and motivated him to train harder than ever before.
According to Hearn, Joshua discovered a new level of preparation after working alongside Usyk, saying the Ukrainian’s training environment showed him a completely different standard of discipline.
Joshua is expected to use the Prenga fight as a final test ahead of his planned blockbuster meeting with Fury, who is scheduled to face Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday.
While the venue for Joshua versus Fury has not been confirmed, Hearn said he wants the fight to take place in the United Kingdom, though he admitted Saudi Arabia’s boxing leadership could influence the final decision.
“Our contract specifies it’s in the UK,” Hearn said, adding that the financial power behind the event gives Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh significant influence over where the fight will be staged.
Hearn maintained that he would continue pushing for a UK venue, describing Joshua versus Fury as one of the fights he has been eagerly anticipating.
