When you think about the heavyweight division's biggest names, Anthony Joshua is never far from the conversation. And according to his longtime promoter, Eddie Hearn, the former two-time champion is gearing up for something special.
Speaking with DAZN, Hearn opened up about Joshua's mindset as he prepares for a pivotal comeback fight. It's been a turbulent road for the British star, who ended last year with an exhibition against Jake Paul. But that fight wasn't the real story. The true weight came from a devastating car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of Joshua's closest friends.
"It was a terrible moment for everybody," Hearn said. "AJ needed that time to recover physically, emotionally, and mentally. I left him to his own devices."
Now, after a period of healing, Joshua is back in the gym with a renewed sense of purpose. The road map for 2026 is clear: a showdown with Martin Prenga on July 25, followed by the blockbuster everyone's been waiting for—a clash with Tyson Fury later in the year.
Perhaps the most intriguing development is Joshua's new training setup alongside former rival Oleksandr Usyk. Yes, the same Usyk who handed Joshua two defeats is now working with him. Think of it like Apollo and Rocky—two warriors pushing each other to new heights.
"He's extremely motivated," Hearn noted. "He's fighting with a different purpose now, carrying the memory of his two friends. No one wanted his success more than them."
As for Prenga, Hearn isn't mincing words. "I think it's very hard to do the distance with Anthony Joshua. Prenga's a big puncher, but if you're going to beat Tyson Fury, you need to go through people like him. With the kind of bad intentions Anthony's going in there with, it'll be difficult for this man to hear the final bell."
With a new team, a deeper motivation, and the heavyweight division's biggest prize still within reach, Joshua looks ready to write the next chapter of his storied career. And if Hearn's confidence is any indicator, fans should buckle up for a thrilling ride.