Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) has not faced a ranked heavyweight since the Daniel Dubois loss, and this outing is built to re-establish his timing, his feet, and his punch selection under real conditions.
“It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring and today is the next step on that journey,” Joshua said. “I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off.”
Fury remains the next step. Their rivalry has dragged on for years, with both men circling the same finish line without getting there. Fury’s recent win over Arslanbek Makhmudov reopened that route, and discussions picked up again, but Joshua’s side held firm on taking a fight first.
‼️ FURY VS JOSHUA IS ON ‼️
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua is now a done deal and will take place in the fourth quarter of this year on Netflix, The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger has revealed. pic.twitter.com/UhSnYmZgbg
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) April 27, 2026
That decision carries logic. He needs rounds. He needs to feel exchanges again, manage pressure, and trust his reactions when shots come back. Fury does not give you time to find that in the ring.
Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) brings a clean knockout record and a direct style. He looks to close distance, throw with full power, and force exchanges early. The level of opposition is well below Joshua’s, but the threat remains simple and real, one clean right hand can change the result of a heavyweight fight.
“Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent,” Prenga said. “I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia.”
There is talk that Fury could also take a preparatory fight before any agreement is finalized. That keeps both sides active, but it also adds moving parts to a fight that has slipped before.
Joshua’s job is clear. Keep his shape, work behind a steady jab, and avoid getting drawn into dangerous exchanges. If he does that, he gets the rounds he needs. If he allows Prenga to step inside and let his hands go, the night becomes harder than it needs to be.
Everything points to Fury. This fight decides whether that road stays clear.
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