Arjun Menon
Fight week reaches its most tense moment on Friday when Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga step on the scales for the official weigh-in — the last time the two heavyweights will stand toe-to-toe before Saturday’s opening bell. It’s the moment that sets the tone for fight night, and with a potential Tyson Fury showdown waiting on the other side of a win, Joshua will want to look sharp doing it.
When and Where to Watch the Weigh-In
The official Joshua vs. Prenga weigh-in takes place on Friday at 19:00 BST in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of fight week for Saturday’s card. DAZN is carrying the weigh-in as a live stream, giving fans their first proper look at both men side by side before they touch gloves.
It’s more than a formality. The weigh-in confirms both boxers have made the required limits, offers a first read on conditioning and mindset, and typically produces the fight week’s most-replayed face-off photo. For a card built around Joshua’s comeback, expect the stare-down to dominate headlines heading into Saturday.
- Also read: Where to Watch Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga: Full Streaming Guide, Fight Time and Price
Full Fight Week Schedule
Here’s how the build-up unfolds in the run-up to fight night:
- Wednesday — Grand arrivals from 17:00 BST
- Thursday — News conference from 18:00 BST
- Friday — Official weigh-in from 19:00 BST
- Saturday — Fight night, with Joshua vs. Prenga expected at 23:00 BST
Ringwalks for the main event are not expected before 11:00pm BST, with BBC Radio 5 Live commentary starting at 20:30 BST and live text coverage on BBC Sport from 20:00 BST.
Joshua vs. Prenga: The Numbers Side by Side
The tale-of-the-tape tells its own story heading into the weigh-in — a size and experience edge for Joshua, but a perfect knockout ratio for the challenger.
| Stat | Anthony Joshua | Kristian Prenga |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 36 | 35 |
| Record | 29-4 | 20-1 |
| Knockouts | 26 | 20 |
| Height | 6’6″ | 6’5″ |
| Reach | 82″ | 77″ |
| Rounds Boxed | 173 | 53 |
| Latest Weight | 243.4 lbs (110.4kg) | 264.3 lbs (119.9kg) |
| Betting Odds | -3333 (huge favorite) | +1000 (huge underdog) |
Prenga carries roughly 20lbs more than Joshua onto the scales, which could matter if the fight goes past the midway point — but Joshua’s reach and experience advantage is significant, and the betting markets rate this as one of the most one-sided odds boards of his career.
Recent Form: Contrasting Roads to Saturday
Joshua’s last five fights (W-L-W-W-W):
- KO6 v Paul
- KO5 loss v Dubois
- KO2 v Ngannou
- TKO5 v Wallin
- KO7 v Helenius
Prenga’s last five fights (W-W-W-W-W):
- TKO1 v Jones
- KO1 v Carmack
- TKO1 v Jake Jr
- TKO2 v Torres
- TKO5 v Dawejko
Prenga arrives unbeaten across his last five, all finishes, and riding a 16-fight winning streak overall — but the level of opposition doesn’t compare to what Joshua has faced. The Albanian’s only pro loss came in his fifth fight; since then, he’s stopped every single opponent, running his knockout tally to a perfect 20-from-20.
Joshua, by contrast, has fought at world level for over a decade. His last five outings show both the ceiling and the risk — a statement knockout of Jake Paul in December, sandwiched around a jarring sixth-round stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024 that reset his career narrative. This fight is as much about proving that loss was an aberration as it is about beating Prenga.
Where Their Careers Have Diverged
Joshua turned professional in 2013 after winning Olympic gold in 2012, and won his first 16 fights inside the distance en route to claiming the IBF title from Charles Martin. His signature night came in 2017, stopping Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round at Wembley to add the WBA belt. A points win over Joseph Parker in 2018 brought the WBO title too, before Andy Ruiz Jr handed him his first career defeat in 2019 — a loss Joshua avenged in the rematch.
Back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 dented his standing further, but a four-fight winning streak rebuilt momentum until Daniel Dubois stopped him in September 2024. Joshua’s return against Paul in December pushed his record to 29 wins and four defeats, with 26 by knockout.
Prenga turned pro three years after Joshua and opened with four straight knockouts before suffering his only career loss in fight number five. Everything since has ended early — 16 straight wins, all finishes, though against opposition that hasn’t tested him at world level the way Joshua has been tested.
No Belts, But a Bigger Prize on the Line
There’s no world title at stake this weekend, but the stakes couldn’t be higher for Joshua’s future. After years of talk, Joshua and Fury have signed a deal to finally meet in the ring. Fury has already cleared his own hurdle, beating Arslanbek Makhmudov in April and taking a tune-up fight of his own against Mariusz Wach on Friday in Thailand.
If both Britons win this weekend, the long-awaited all-British heavyweight fight moves a significant step closer — with Eddie Hearn previously floating a November date on Netflix, and Wembley Stadium or Cardiff’s Principality Stadium both mentioned as possible venues.
The Rest of the Card
Saturday’s bill is stacked well beyond the main event:
- Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga — heavyweight
- Hamzah Sheeraz (c) vs. Simon Zachenhuber — WBO super-middleweight title
- Josh Kelly (c) vs. Caoimhin Agyarko — IBF light-middleweight world title
- Reito Tsutsumi vs. Alvino Herrera — super-featherweight
- Jacob Bank vs. Pawel August — super-middleweight
Two world titles will change hands or be defended before Joshua even enters the arena, giving the card genuine depth beyond the headline attraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Joshua vs. Prenga weigh-in?
Friday at 19:00 BST, streamed live on DAZN.
What are the odds for Joshua vs. Prenga?
Joshua is a huge favorite at -3333, with Prenga a heavy underdog at +1000, according to Tapology odds tracking.
What time does the main event start?
Joshua and Prenga are not expected to enter the ring before 23:00 BST on Saturday.
Why does this fight matter beyond Saturday?
A Joshua win keeps alive a signed deal to face Tyson Fury later this year, in what would be one of British boxing’s biggest-ever domestic fights.
If you’re weighing up the odds ahead of fight night, Tips.gg has more detailed betting analysis and predictions worth a look before Saturday.
What Friday’s Weigh-In Sets Up
Once both men step off the scales, the countdown to Saturday’s opening bell truly begins. Joshua knows a win keeps his Fury dream alive; Prenga knows a stunning upset would be the biggest result of his career. Whatever the numbers say heading into the weigh-in, Jeddah on Saturday night will settle the only stat that matters — who’s still standing when it’s over.