Joshua v Prenga - heavyweight predictions

Anthony Joshua returns to the ring on Saturday against the relatively unknown Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, knowing that victory would set up a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury.

Joshua, a two-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist, has won 29 fights – 26 by stoppage – and lost four.

Albanian Prenga enters the fight with an impressive record of his own, having achieved all of his 20 victories with stoppages while suffering only one defeat.

However, the 35-year-old has never faced anyone close to Joshua’s level.

After Fury comfortably dispatched Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, can Joshua can come through his own warm-up bout?

This will be Joshua’s first fight since he was involved in a car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.

The Fury-Joshua fight has been a decade in the making. Contracts have been signed, with the blockbuster bout expected to take place later this year.

But could Prenga spoil the party and pull off a huge shock to go down in boxing history as the man who got in the way of Joshua-Fury happening?

Radio commentary from Jeddah will begin from about 20:30 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.

Live text commentary will begin at 19:30 on the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Sport spoke to figures from the boxing world to get their predictions for Saturday’s fight.

“I think AJ will win by a stoppage late. He has to be careful at the beginning of the fight because a lot of Prenga’s stoppages have come in the first couple of rounds – he rarely goes past six rounds, so that’s uncharted territory.”

“I think AJ will have a look in the first round but it will be over round three or four. I think he’ll go right though this guy. I hope he does and we see him and Fury.”

“Joshua coming back from what he has is a testament to himself. His attitude and mental resilience. I haven’t seen much of Prenga, but I’ve heard he’s a tough guy. If the right Anthony Joshua goes out there and performs, he’s a hard night for anyone. If he goes out and performs, he can put anyone on their back. He needs to not overthink. Do your job, get in and get out.”

“Obviously it’s been an incredibly difficult time for AJ but he seems mentally and physically in a good place, training under Team Usyk.

“I expect him to go out there and emphatically deal with Prenga, who has not fought at anywhere near Joshua’s level. So Joshua to win within the first four rounds.”

“I think it’s a fascinating opponent for AJ to take, because although you may criticise Prenga’s style and that it might not look the best, he was a tough unbeaten kickboxer. We saw with Rico Verhoeven against Usyk that these kickboxers can make it tough. I expect AJ to look fresh, establish a quick jab early and have attention to detail.

“He looks very lean, I think he’ll be quicker than before and I think he’s going to get a clean win. Prenga will try but I think AJ will walk him on to a shot.”

“In recent times, you’re never quite sure which version of Joshua would turn up on the night.

“But saying that, any version of Joshua will have too much for Prenga. He’s big and powerful, but I think he’s out of his depth.

“I think Joshua will be a little bit more confident and forceful against this level of opposition. I think it will be three or four rounds before Joshua gets to him with a stoppage.”

“You will not see a third round. Joshua will win by a brutal, nasty and vicious knockout.”

“I predict a brutal Joshua win, early. It won’t go past three rounds. Do not blink.”

“AJ will win whenever he wants – it’s a run-out for him. Prenga has a flattering record, but if you look at his style, he’s pretty cumbersome. Prenga will walk on to shots but AJ’s class, his jab and his power punch will have a massive impact. It depends if Joshua wants a few rounds and to practise what he’s been doing with his new team.

“It will last as long as Joshua wants it to – maybe four or five rounds.”

“AJ will win by knockout between rounds three and five.”

“Like most, I’ll be honest, I’ve not seen much of Prenga, but what I have seen, it’s a gigantic step up.

“The last 12 to 18 months outside the ring and in with the Dubois defeat being a bad one, Joshua can be excused for this type of opponent.

“With AJ and the power he carries, it could be over in a matter of seconds. I expect him to take his time a little bit and for him to knock Prenga out in three rounds.”