Eddie Hearn has urged Anthony Joshua to finish Kristian Prenga before he has even the slightest opportunity to derail plans for a Tyson Fury showdown. <p>Joshua is expected to beat Prenga (20-1-0, 20 KOs) in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, paving the way for a blockbuster all-British showdown with Fury in November.</p><p>Prenga is something of an unknown quantity, with Joshua set to become the biggest and most recognisable name on the Albanian's fight resume by some distance.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13565282/anthony-joshua-ferocious-british-heavyweight-will-cause-kristian-prenga-an-awful-lot-of-pain-says-barry-hearn"><strong>'Ferocious' AJ primed for 'fireworks' vs Prenga – Hearn</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13565180/tyson-fury-vs-anthony-joshua-harsh-reality-awaits-loser-of-blockbuster-british-bout-says-tony-bellew"><strong>AJ-Fury loser faces 'harsh reality' in defeat – Bellew</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Get Sky Sports</a> or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">stream with no contract on NOW</a></strong></li></ul><p>But Hearn conceded Prenga's perfect win-to-knockout ratio raised a degree of trepidation and made it essential for Joshua to land the telling blow first.</p><p>"AJ is taking this fight very seriously," Hearn told <em>Sky Sports</em>. "Prenga has 20 wins, 20 knockouts, so he can definitely punch.</p><p>"Is he at AJ's level? I don't think so, but he's never been at that level, so until he has, you never truly know.</p><p>"Prenga was selected to be a good test, a stiff challenge, but someone AJ should beat in style. But heavyweight boxing is heavyweight boxing.</p><p>"Anthony has had a lot to deal with in the last seven months and there will be a few fingers crossed going into this one because of what's at the other end.</p><p>"It won't be easy. You've got to take this guy out before he takes you out, and that's what AJ will be intending to do on Saturday."</p><widget id="1"></widget><p>Hearn says Prenga represents the first big assignment Joshua must navigate if his hopes of reclaiming the world heavyweight title are to be realised in 2027.</p><p>The second would be that eagerly-anticipated fight against Fury, which Hearn believes Joshua will win before setting his sights on becoming a three-time world champion.</p><h3>'The end is not nigh for AJ'</h3><p>"Right now, AJ is motivated to continue as long as he can while he feels like he's still got it," Hearn added.</p><p>"Every performance will tell us where he's at and Saturday will be no different. We know that if we win on Saturday, he's fighting Tyson Fury in November.</p><p>"In our mind, we win that fight and then 2027 is all about trying to recapture that world championship, with the belts quite fragmented now in the sport.</p><p>"So, two big assignments lie ahead before the world championship comes, but the way he's talking, the end is not nigh."</p> <widget id="2"></widget><h3>AJ: Prenga is 'first checkpoint'</h3><p>Speaking at the pre-fight press conference, Joshua outlined just how important securing victory over Prenga is.</p><p>"I understand there is a big picture," Joshua said. "The goal is to conquer the universe. But first we must conquer earth.</p><p>"Prenga is my target. It's my coach against his coach. My physio against his physio. My strategist against his strategist. This fighter against that fighter.</p><p>"The reality of the matter is there is no universe, no future, unless I get past this checkpoint on Saturday night."</p>
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