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Nigerian-British heavyweight star Anthony Joshua has said that signing a long-awaited fight deal with Tyson Fury means little if he does not win when they finally meet. This fight is expected to be one of the biggest events in British boxing history.
After years of failed talks and near misses, a deal is finally in place for the long-anticipated “Battle of Britain.” Joshua and Fury are set to fight later this year, likely in November.
But Joshua is not getting too excited about the fight. He says his focus is on winning, not 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 faces Fury, Joshua has a fight to take care of in Saudi Arabia. He will take on Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on July 25. The match was originally set for Riyadh but has now been moved to Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, after a confirmation during the fighters’ press conference.
This fight will be Joshua’s first since a tough time in his life. A car accident in Nigeria last December took the lives of two of his close friends. For Joshua, this fight is the start of what could be a key chapter in his career.
While Joshua gets ready for Prenga, Fury is also back in training for his own fight. The former heavyweight champion recently posted a video from a training camp in Thailand, saying: “Let’s go August 1, Dublin, Ireland.”
Fury is expected to fight on a card organized by veteran promoter Frank Warren in Dublin, but his opponent has not been officially announced yet. One name that will not be in the ring is former world champion Andy Ruiz Jr., who shocked Joshua in 2019 and then lost in their rematch.
If both Joshua and Fury win their upcoming fights, fans will finally see the showdown they have been waiting for. Joshua knows that boxing is more than just a sport for him; it is his career and his chance to reclaim his spot at the top of the heavyweight division.
Joshua has not fought a top opponent since losing to Daniel Dubois by knockout in September 2024. That loss made many call for him to rebuild before seeking another title shot. Now, with a possible fight against Fury and another title opportunity ahead, 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.”
“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.”
Joshua talked about his goals for the upcoming months, saying every fight is part of a bigger plan. “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 there will be challenges ahead but is confident he can handle this tough time in his career.
“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 also shared that he is training hard and is eager to get back to full training after he finishes his media duties. “You know I’ve been training hard, that’s my life,” Joshua said.
“I’m just gonna tune back in to my focus tomorrow when I go back to my training camp because obviously we’ve stepped out of training to be with the media.”
“Then we spend some time with our families before we go away. 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 heavyweight greatness starts in Saudi Arabia. After that, he hopes to face Tyson Fury in a fight that could define his legacy in boxing.
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