Anthony Joshua focuses on victory as he prepares for Tyson Fury fight

Nigerian-British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has said that signing a fight agreement with Tyson Fury means nothing unless he wins. The two are set to meet in what could be one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.

After years of talks and near misses, they finally have a deal for the much-anticipated “Battle of Britain.” Joshua and Fury are expected to clash later this year, likely in November.

But Joshua is keeping his feet on the ground. He said his focus is on winning, not on celebrating contracts. “I’m not pleased because the pleasure really comes after victory,” Joshua said on Monday. “Signing a contract doesn’t mean anything. Winning is the only true success.”

Before he thinks about Fury, Joshua has a fight coming up in Saudi Arabia. He is set to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on July 25. The fight, which was first planned for Riyadh, has been moved to Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, as confirmed during the fighters’ press conference.

This fight will be Joshua’s first since a difficult time in his life. Last December, he lost two close friends in a car accident in Nigeria. This match marks a new beginning for him and could be key in his career.

Boxing is more than just a sport for Joshua. It is his job and his purpose. He wants to get back to the top of the heavyweight division. He has not fought a top-tier opponent since he lost to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. That loss brought more calls for him to rebuild before going for another title.

Now, with the potential Fury fight ahead and a chance for another world title, Joshua feels he has a clear plan. “What does boxing give me? It gives me an opportunity to work,” he said. “I’m a contractor, this is a contract, this is my job, so I’ve got an opportunity to work.”

Joshua explained that having a clear plan helps fighters know their goals. “You have to put a road map in front of a fighter and show them what is point one, point two, point three. It gives purpose and focus. I know what my year looks like.”

He shared his ambitions for the coming months. Every fight is part of a bigger goal. “Give me the opportunity to fight Prenga, give me the opportunity to fight Fury, give me the opportunity to fight for the championship. It ain’t about looking past anyone, it’s just knowing your purpose and knowing your steps forward and moving up the ladder.”

Joshua knows he will face challenges but believes he can handle them. “I’ve got a clear goal, I know what this year is about, I know how tough this year is going to be. I’m definitely the man for the job. I’m looking forward to the challenges.”

The 36-year-old boxer said his training is going well. He is eager to get back to full training after his media duties. “You know I’ve been training hard, that’s my life,” Joshua said. “I’m just gonna tune back into my focus tomorrow when I go back to my training camp because obviously we’ve stepped out of training to be with the media.”

He added that after spending time with family, he will return to training. “Then we take ourselves to another place physically and spiritually, and on July 25th in Jeddah, the best man will win.”

For Joshua, the journey back to the top of heavyweight boxing starts in Saudi Arabia. After that, he hopes to face Tyson Fury in a fight that could define his legacy.