“The plan for AJ is to beat Prenga, beat Tyson Fury and fight for the world heavyweight title,” Eddie Hearn told IFL TV.
Prenga has quietly established a record that has featured constant multiple knockouts and has recently been linked to several heavyweight fights. Hearn admitted that Joshua cannot overlook him, even though most fans are already focusing on Fury.
“He’s been in a few heavyweight fights. I think he’s got 22 wins, 21 knockouts, something like that,” Hearn said. “Decent fighter. Not elite heavyweight, but marginal world level. Risky. Can punch.”
Joshua comes into the fight with more pressure than Prenga. Another indigent performance, even in victory, will raise novel doubts after his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. Meanwhile, Prenga begins his fight with only minor losses and an opportunity that could completely change his career overnight.
The next question is what version of Joshua emerges under coach Ben Davison. The aggressive striker seen taking on Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul looked very different from the hesitant fighter Dubois stopped.
Hearn expects Joshua to stop Prenga before the fight with Fury gets underway later this year.
“I think he will be inspired by an stimulating fight in the first six rounds,” Hearn said. “And when he does, I will be the most relieved because you have a fight with Tyson Fury and it will be in November.”
Hearn also said that Fury vs. Joshua is effectively agreed upon, although both heavyweights still need to win their next fights first.
“Yes, everything is fine, everything is ready,” Hearn said of Fury-Joshua. “We just have to win.”
The fight is expected to take place in the UK, with Wembley Stadium and Cardiff being discussed as possible venues for the heavyweight showdown.
Joshua has not fought since knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami, Florida, on December 19, 2025, while Fury remains inactive following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
If both heavyweights go through with their scheduled return fights, their long-delayed fight will still rank among boxing’s biggest events.
Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most significant fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.