On July 25, Joshua will walk to the ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia intent on doing damage.

"I want to hurt Prenga, definitely," Joshua said during an interview with DAZN.

It is imperative that Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) beats Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) but a clean, comprehensive win would serve as a timely reminder to himself and others of his capabilities when firing on all cylinders.

Joshua hasn't taken out a recognised heavyweight name since a highlight reel seventh-round knockout of Robert Helenius and breaking down former sparring partner Otto Wallin in five rounds during a four-month period in 2023.

In December, Joshua dismissed Jake Paul in six rounds but the right hand that broke the wildly overmatched cruiserweight's jaw put a shine on a visibly rusty performance.

Just weeks later, Joshua suffered a life-altering shock losing two of his closest friends in a tragic car accident while holidaying in Nigeria. He has also had to recover physically from injuries sustained in the incident.

The 36-year-old admits he will walk to the ring with bad intentions against Prenga, though won't use their encounter to let out any pent up emotion or pain. Instead, he wants to use it as an opportunity to recalibrate his sights and refocus his mind ahead of a much-anticipated clash with Fury later this year.

"You've got to take him out. Got to have the right mindset, the knowhow and have full belief in yourself," he said.

"Why I say I want to hurt Prenga is nothing to do with him, it's just me. I believe in myself, know I can do it and want to prove to myself that I'm a serious wrecking machine. I got dynamite in both hands and want to punch with bad intentions."

Although 13 years deep into an extensive professional career, the former two-time unified champion's recent tone doesn't suggest he is searching for an exit route from the sport. Appreciative that his scalp would still take pride of place in most heavyweight trophy cabinets, he's intent on taking some notable names himself, starting with Fury.

Prenga can change his life with a shock victory but Joshua isn't prepared to let him derail those future plans.

"That's why I've got to work like I am a target now. I can't just work in an ordinary capacity and live off of my past achievements and failures... it's all done, start fresh," he continued.

"Work like you're being hunted, as if you're the hunter. Work as if you want it all. I want it all, I want Fury. That's the mindset. I want it all, bring me everything."