- ‘Ultimate Comeback From Deepest Lows’ – Hearn Backs Joshua Return
- Joshua to face Prenga before expected clash with Fury
- Promoter says fight will test Joshua’s physical readiness
Promoter Eddie Hearn has praised Anthony Joshua ahead of the former world champion’s return to the ring in July, seven months after a fatal car crash in Nigeria that reportedly claimed the lives of two members of his team.
Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Riyadh, on July 25, in a bout expected to set up a long awaited clash with Tyson Fury later in the year.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- FA Introduces New Rules To Limit Heading In Football
- President Tinubu Has Not Endorsed Any APC Candidate for 2027 – Jandor
- Police Arrest 2 Over Trafficking of Nigerian Woman to Côte d’Ivoire
EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking to BBC Sport, Hearn described the fight as the most significant comeback of Joshua’s career, citing the physical and emotional challenges he has faced in recent months.
“We also know the risk of this is everything that he’s coming back from,” Hearn said.
“They’re calling this a comeback. People might think that’s quite strange because it’s only six months after he last fought, but it’s actually the ultimate comeback.
“It’s the comeback from the deepest of lows. Not just mentally and emotionally but physically as well.
“The injuries that he sustained in that crash, a lot of people would never fight again, and I think the strength that he has shown is quite incredible.”
Prenga heads into the contest with a 20 to 1 professional record and is unbeaten in the last nine years, setting up a competitive test for Joshua.
Joshua last fought in December, defeating Jake Paul by sixth round stoppage in Miami. The win followed his IBF title defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
The July bout is expected to serve as preparation for the anticipated all British showdown with Fury, a fight that has long generated interest among boxing fans.
Hearn stressed the importance of the fight in ensuring Joshua is fully prepared for that encounter.
“There is a lot of pressure going into this fight, but there’s also a lot of questions to be answered,” he said.
“Physically, mentally, fighting again at all, and that’s why it’s needed.
“We want the best Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury. We don’t want a guy that, ‘maybe he should’ve had a warm-up fight, he wasn’t quite ready’.
“We want to be 100 per cent ready for that fight and, if he is, he’ll beat him, and he’ll knock him out.”
