Anthony Joshua’s two-fight 2026 deal has been announced, with Deontay Wilder once again not part of the Briton’s plans, despite a resurgence.
Wilder’s team have now reacted to the news that Joshua will instead face Kristian Prenga before a fight with Tyson Fury at the end of the year.
‘AJ’ was called out by Fury following the latter’s triumph over Arslanbek Makhmudov two weeks ago, but he refused to publicly agree to the long-awaited showdown without a warm-up fight or fully negotiated deal.
Since then, another of Joshua’s long-term rivals, Wilder, has been linked as a possible summer opponent, in order to prepare him for a clash with ‘The Gypsy King’. However, on Monday, it was instead confirmed that the two-time world champion will face lesser-known Albanian, Prenga, in a lower risk return.
In an interview with Sky Sports Boxing, Shelly Finkel, who manages ‘The Bronze Bomber’ revealed that he is neither disappointed or surprised by Joshua’s opponent, simply summing up the situation as the ‘same old story’.
“Can’t be disappointed about something that never was. Eddie never reached out to us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same old story, just a new date.”
Whilst Hearn may not have made an approach for a fight with Wilder, he is targeting a scrap against the former WBC heavyweight world champion for one of his other heavyweight contenders – Jarrell Miller.
As for Joshua, he will take on Prenga on Saturday, July 25, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, looking to tee up one of the biggest fights in British boxing history.
