Anthony Joshua has intensified preparations for another world heavyweight title push, with promoter Eddie Hearn revealing the British-Nigerian boxer remains determined to become champion again.
Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25 before a proposed blockbuster clash against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Hearn said both fights are crucial to Joshua’s hopes of reclaiming the heavyweight crown for a third time.
He told BoxingScene: “His endgame is to win the world heavyweight championship again.
“But definitely, there are a couple of things that he wants to do.
“He wants to beat Tyson Fury, and he wants to win the world heavyweight championship again.
“So our plan right now is the plan that we can see that’s in front of us, which is Prenga and Tyson Fury.
“We’ve got to win those two fights.
“If he wins those two fights, he can walk into any fight, any championship that he wants.
“But we’ve got to win those fights.”
Joshua’s comeback journey has included difficult moments, including defeat to Daniel Dubois and a serious car accident in Nigeria.
Hearn admitted the former two-time heavyweight champion would still need to mentally overcome those experiences once he returns to the ring.
Hearn said: “Everything that we’re seeing at the moment, his desire, his sparring, his training, looks great.
“But until you get in there, that’s when you’ve got to process everything that’s happened in your life and perform.”
The promoter also warned against underestimating Prenga despite growing anticipation around a possible Fury showdown.
He added: “I know everyone just presumes he’s going to walk in and smash Prenga to pieces, but I’ll be very pleased if he does, because there’s a lot of pressure going into this fight.
“Not just what’s coming after, but what he’s been through as well.
“And it’ll be a very emotional night.”
Victory over Prenga would move Joshua closer to a long-awaited fight against Fury and potentially place him back in line for another shot at the heavyweight championship.
