Anthony Joshua’s mindset has changed with his July return to fighting, and Eddie Hearn says the former heavyweight champion is finally speaking with complete certainty about what he wants next.

Hearn revealed that Joshua is no longer taking the cautious “one fight at a time” approach that has defined much of his recent career. Instead, he claims that AJ is openly talking about destroying Kristian Prenga, knocking out Tyson Fury and becoming heavyweight champion again.

“I have never seen him with such clarity about what he is doing, where he is and what he wants to do,” Eddie Hearn told iFL TV about Joshua.

“He’s basically saying, ‘I want to hurt Prenga. I want to destroy him, and then I want to knock out Tyson Fury, and then I want to try to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.’

“He always said, ‘I’m focused on July 25 and I’m not looking beyond that date.’ He looks beyond it. He has a plan. He has faith in what he is doing now, which makes him excited about the future.

Hearn said Joshua’s mentality and motivation now remind him of a player still chasing greatness, rather than someone content with what he has already achieved.

“He’s training harder now than ever before. He wants it more now than when he had nothing,” Hearn said.

“That’s the sign of a winner. That’s the sign of a true competitor. You don’t put yourself through what he goes through day after day for no reason. He wants it bad.”

Hearn also believes Joshua’s renewed hunger makes him risky again in the heavyweight division after years of criticism over his confidence and mentality following defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois.

Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most vital fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.

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Last updated: 22/05/2026 at 22:32

Oleksandr Usyk improved his results in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Now one of only two other men to have reigned in both divisions, David Haye, has shared how he thinks the Ukrainian would fare against the heavyweight icons.

Usyk captured the undisputed cruiserweight crown, scoring away wins over Krzysztof Głowacki, Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiew, winning all four world titles.

It is his current heavyweight streak that has made Usyk a global superstar, defeating Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois twice to become the undisputed heavyweight champion twice.

As a result, the undefeated 39-year-old has established himself as the preeminent heavyweight of his generation, and Haye answered the question of whether Usyk could have performed similarly in stronger times like the 1990s. Boxing Scene that in his opinion the Ukrainian would “find a way”.

– Usyk, put them in there with [Evander] Holyfield, [Mike] Tyson and Lennox [Lewis]would hang out with the best of them.”

“He would find a way. He consistently showed that he beat every guy in and around his era. It’s difficult not to be a fan of someone who did that.”

“It would be the same as beating Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko or anyone else.”

On Saturday evening, Usyk will face Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven beneath the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, in a fight that may do more for his fame than his legacy.

Richard Torrez Jr. says Saturday’s fight with Frank Sanchez is the moment people either stop doubting him or learn he’s among the heavyweight contenders after other fighters reportedly lost the fight.

“I don’t think you should be in this sport if you don’t think you’re the best. I’m very confident in my abilities as a fighter. Overall, I’m very confident in my abilities. I want to put it to the test. I’m not here to fight straightforward fights. I’m here to make things happen. And that’s what we’re going to do on Saturday night,” Torrez Jr. said. professional boxing fans.

“Saturday is the time to either give up or shut up from everyone. Either we prove everyone is right, or we prove everyone is right. Whichever side wins.”

Torrez said he was preparing for the best possible version of Sanchez and insisted he preferred hazardous opponents rather than ponderous fights against weaker heavyweights.

“I’m preparing for the best Frank. I’m preparing for the Frank who comes to fight. Catch him at his best or at his worst, I still feel prepared.”

“To show your skills, you have to go and get someone who is talented. I’m not in this game to beat anyone. I want demanding fights. I want to be able to show that I should be here, on top of the world.

“I want to know that I’m the best. And to know that you’re the best, you have to fight the best,” Torrez Jr. said.

Tomek Galm is a boxing journalist covering the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends and fighter psychology.

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Last updated: 22/05/2026 at 18:21