Anthony Joshua's next fight comes with a little extra intrigue after Brandon Moore backed Kristian Prenga to pull off an upset on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
Moore, who has been in Prenga's camp, said the heavyweight looks strong in sparring and believes he has a real chance to beat Joshua. He also pointed to the size difference, arguing that Prenga is the bigger man while Joshua carries a more muscular build.
That comparison is part of what makes the matchup interesting. Moore said Prenga could catch Joshua the same way Andy Ruiz did in 2019, when Joshua lost at Madison Square Garden and gave up his IBF, WBA and WBO titles. It remains the clearest warning sign for Joshua as he steps into his first fight back.
Why this fight matters
The Prenga bout is being treated as a warm-up before Joshua's highly anticipated winter meeting with Tyson Fury. That means the stakes are bigger than a routine comeback fight, even if Joshua is expected to be the favorite.
Moore was careful to show respect for Joshua, calling him a great fighter who has done amazing things in the sport. But he also stressed that ring rust is real, especially for a boxer returning after time away. In his view, this is exactly the kind of moment where an opponent can seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Moore said he told Prenga that he has the chance of a lifetime, adding that this is not a small thing because everybody will be watching. Whether Prenga can turn that belief into a result will be one of the key questions when the fighters meet Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
