Joshua: I'm back where I belong, doing what I love and stronger than ever

Anthony Joshua faces Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25 in warm-up fight before blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury; Joshua says he is mentally and physically stronger after time away from the sport

>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

>Anthony Joshua is relishing being back where he belongs and doing what he loves, as he steps up preparations for his showdown with Tyson Fury.

>The two-time heavyweight champion has had an extended period away from boxing following the tragic deaths of two friends in a car accident in Nigeria.

>Joshua will make his first appearance since his December 2025 victory over Jake Paul when he takes on Albanian Kristian Prenga in Jeddah on July 25.

>Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Joshua explained how he will be stronger - both physically and mentally - than ever before when he steps back into the ring.

>"I feel solid," he said. "This is where I want to be. I'm very grateful for this opportunity. It's nice doing what I love.

>"Life throws many obstacles at us. I stand before you now as a boxer, but I've got things happening in my life. I think this is the right place for me to be.

>"I'm building myself up to be stronger than I've ever been because I know I am - not only physically, because that's natural, but mentally. I've realised I'm a lot stronger than I ever thought I was.

>Boxing schedule 2026: When are the big fights?

>Stream boxing and more contract-free with NOW

>"I got into boxing to reshape my mind and identity, to make me a better person. It's doing the same for me now. It's reshaping my life and giving me purpose.

>"It's funny because the same reason I got into boxing is the same way it's helping me now. Boxing was never just about being a champion, it's about the championship mentality."

>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

>Prenga represents the final step on Joshua's journey towards a long-anticipated fight with British heavyweight rival Fury.

>Seven months will have passed by the time Joshua gets back into the ring on fight night.

>He hopes the Prenga bout offers ample opportunity to sharpen up, though he admits the training camp itself, which has featured spells working under Oleksandr Usyk, will be more significant.

>"I want to get some combinations going," he said. "I want to get some power punches going.

>"What I'd like to see is my eyes focused on his body language changing, being able to break him down and then execute what I know I can do. I can punch really hard, and when I do that it will give me confidence going into the Fury fight.

>"Confidence comes from your training. The fight is only an execution of that, so it's not just the fight that gives me confidence.

>"It's getting through these seven weeks because every fighter knows it's hard. You've got sparring partners - I've got four or five good guys waiting for me - so it's not just the fight.

>"I know what I'm going to do in the fight, but can I do it every day in the gym? Getting through this training camp will be the real reason I'm victorious on July 25 because of the way I prepare."

>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

>Joshua shed light on the inner workings of a deal brokered by boxing kingpin Turki Alalshikh that has finally made a generation-defining fight - over a decade in the making - a reality.

>"His Excellency and my management, Matchroom Boxing, sat down together and went through the nitty-gritty. They managed to put a two-fight deal together; the first against Prenga, the second against Fury.

>"I signed that deal and I'm happy to be in a position where I know where I am now and what I have to do to get to the end of the year.

>"I'm obviously not overlooking anyone, but this is the deal that was presented to me. It's good to have some work. I've got about eight weeks now until I fight Prenga. He's a good, live opponent. I'll do my best and then move on."

>Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

>Joshua's overdue showdown with Fury gained traction when he watched the self-styled Gypsy King's victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov from ringside in April.

>Fury called Joshua out after his unanimous decision win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, only for AJ to decline the invitation to join him in the ring.

>"The landlord doesn't move," Joshua explained. "There was no rent to collect at the time - the contracts hadn't been signed or agreed.

>"We sat down afterwards and I said, look, I don't want to get in the ring and lead anyone on. There was nothing agreed. I was not there to create hype.

>"I was there on a scouting mission. That was my purpose. I achieved it. I saw what I saw. Then there was all this other stuff afterwards. I didn't think it was the right thing to do, but now I'm happy to talk about it."

>With a two-fight deal signed, sealed and delivered, Joshua is ready to face off with Fury.

>"If Fury was here with me now, I would do a face-off because there's a reason now," he continued. "That was the logic before - it wasn't the right time - but now it is.

>"If he's here, if he wants to get in the ring and I get the victory, 100 per cent he can step into my ring, into my environment.

>"I'm inviting him into my house. He can come to the landlord's house. He's more than welcome anytime."