Anthony Joshua is slated to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia in July, a move described by some as a necessary "warm-up" before a highly anticipated bout against Tyson Fury. This pre-Fury engagement, tentatively set for November, comes as Joshua has received a contract for the Fury showdown, according to promoter Eddie Hearn. The proposed deal between Joshua and Fury reportedly encompasses two fights, with a rematch eyed for 2027.
The boxing world is currently grappling with the strategic implications of Joshua's interim fight. While promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed Joshua has the contract for Fury, the July bout is presented as a prelude, a means to sharpen skills and potentially quell speculation about Joshua's readiness. This perspective is echoed by Ben Davison, a former trainer for both fighters, who stated that "most people can't even comprehend the pressure" of facing Fury, implying the warm-up is a sensible measure against immense expectation.
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However, a contrasting view has emerged regarding Joshua's recent performances. Following his sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in December 2025, where Joshua himself expressed dissatisfaction, his trainer Iegor Golub reportedly voiced concerns that Joshua "is not ready" for Fury. This assessment comes despite Joshua breaking Paul's jaw in two places during the fight.
The narrative around the Joshua-Fury matchup has been complex, with Fury himself publicly challenging Joshua after his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov recently. Initially, plans had shifted from a March fight to an August confrontation, but now November appears to be the target date for the first of the two-fight deal. Matchroom Boxing is set to promote Joshua's July bout, which is expected to air on DAZN, while the super-fight with Fury might find a home on Netflix. The discussion around a potential warm-up opponent has even included the name Deontay Wilder, with Hearn suggesting Joshua could stop him "as 'warm-up' before Tyson Fury clash."
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