DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Joshua says Fury fight means nothing without victory

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Boxer Anthony Joshua stated he will not celebrate a potential fight with Tyson Fury until after he wins.
  • Joshua is scheduled for a warm-up bout against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25 before a possible November clash with Fury.
  • He emphasized that signing a contract is meaningless without victory and views boxing as a job providing purpose and focus.

British boxer Anthony Joshua remains focused on victory, stating he will not celebrate a potential heavyweight clash with rival Tyson Fury until the fight is won.

I’m not pleased because the pleasure really comes after victory. Signing a contract doesn’t mean anything. Winning is the only true success.

— Anthony JoshuaThe British boxer expressed his focus on winning rather than the anticipation of a fight deal.

"Signing a contract doesn’t mean anything. Winning is the only true success," Joshua said Monday at a press conference in London. The highly anticipated "Battle of Britain" between Joshua and Fury is tentatively scheduled for November, but both boxers have warm-up fights planned.

Joshua is set to face Kristian Prenga, an unheralded Albanian boxer, in Saudi Arabia on July 25. This will be Joshua's first fight since a car crash in Nigeria last December that resulted in the deaths of two friends. Meanwhile, Tyson Fury recently posted a video on Instagram suggesting a potential fight on August 1 in Dublin, Ireland, though no opponent has been confirmed.

What does boxing give me? It gives me an opportunity to work. I’m a contractor, this is a contract, this is my job so I’ve got an opportunity to work.

— Anthony JoshuaJoshua described his perspective on boxing as a profession and a source of purpose.

Joshua views his upcoming bouts as opportunities to work and fulfill his professional obligations. "What does boxing give me? It gives me an opportunity to work. I’m a contractor, this is a contract, this is my job so I’ve got an opportunity to work," he explained. He stressed the importance of having a clear roadmap and purpose in his career, outlining his year with specific goals, including fighting Prenga, Fury, and for a championship.

I know what my year looks like. Give me the opportunity to fight Prenga, give me the opportunity to fight Fury, give me the opportunity to fight for the championship.

— Anthony JoshuaJoshua outlined his strategic approach and goals for the upcoming year in his boxing career.

The fight against Prenga was initially planned for Riyadh but has since been moved to Jeddah. Joshua has not faced a significant opponent since his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. He emphasized his dedication to training and his clear objectives for the year, stating, "I know what this year is about, I know how tough this year is going to be. I’ve been training hard, that’s my life."

I’ve got a clear goal, I know what this year is about, I know how tough this year is going to be. I’ve been training hard, that’s my life.

— Anthony JoshuaJoshua emphasized his dedication and preparation for the challenges ahead in his boxing career.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog