'20 wins, 20 knockouts' – AJ must extinguish Prenga threat fast, says Hearn

Eddie Hearn has urged Anthony Joshua to finish Kristian Prenga before he has even the slightest opportunity to derail plans for a Tyson Fury showdown.

Joshua is expected to beat Prenga (20-1-0, 20 KOs) in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, paving the way for a blockbuster all-British showdown with Fury in November.

Prenga is something of an unknown quantity, with Joshua set to become the biggest and most recognisable name on the Albanian's fight resume by some distance.

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But Hearn conceded Prenga's perfect win-to-knockout ratio raised a degree of trepidation and made it essential for Joshua to land the telling blow first.

"AJ is taking this fight very seriously," Hearn told Sky Sports. "Prenga has 20 wins, 20 knockouts, so he can definitely punch.

"Is he at AJ's level? I don't think so, but he's never been at that level, so until he has, you never truly know.

"Prenga was selected to be a good test, a stiff challenge, but someone AJ should beat in style. But heavyweight boxing is heavyweight boxing.

"Anthony has had a lot to deal with in the last seven months and there will be a few fingers crossed going into this one because of what's at the other end.

"It won't be easy. You've got to take this guy out before he takes you out, and that's what AJ will be intending to do on Saturday."

Hearn says Prenga represents the first big assignment Joshua must navigate if his hopes of reclaiming the world heavyweight title are to be realised in 2027.

The second would be that eagerly-anticipated fight against Fury, which Hearn believes Joshua will win before setting his sights on becoming a three-time world champion.

'The end is not nigh for AJ'

"Right now, AJ is motivated to continue as long as he can while he feels like he's still got it," Hearn added.

"Every performance will tell us where he's at and Saturday will be no different. We know that if we win on Saturday, he's fighting Tyson Fury in November.

"In our mind, we win that fight and then 2027 is all about trying to recapture that world championship, with the belts quite fragmented now in the sport.

"So, two big assignments lie ahead before the world championship comes, but the way he's talking, the end is not nigh."

AJ: Prenga is 'first checkpoint'

Speaking at the pre-fight press conference, Joshua outlined just how important securing victory over Prenga is.

"I understand there is a big picture," Joshua said. "The goal is to conquer the universe. But first we must conquer earth.

"Prenga is my target. It's my coach against his coach. My physio against his physio. My strategist against his strategist. This fighter against that fighter.

"The reality of the matter is there is no universe, no future, unless I get past this checkpoint on Saturday night."