Another stoppage victory would help kickstart what the two-time unified heavyweight champion described as a 'massive year' for his world title aspirations.

Little-known Albanian puncher Kristian Prenga has been deemed the final hurdle before a long-awaited Tyson Fury showdown for Joshua, who hears all of the noise.

He would've heard news of Team Prenga warning Joshua's handlers about an impending upset on July 25.

Prenga's manager Keith Sullivan fanned the flames here saying he was shocked at the miscalculation Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn and Team Joshua had made.

"What they have is a live dog coming for it all, a win-win fight for Prenga. Unfortunately for Joshua, this is a lose-lose for you, the situation your team has placed you in is untenable and it's shocking that Eddie and his team chose to take on a heavy-handed heavyweight with their prized possession."

Rather than grow agitated, Joshua welcomed an intensity change as time wears down before a must-win matchup.

There were a series of names floated for Joshua's return, having not boxed a heavyweight since his fifth-round stoppage defeat by Daniel Dubois in their September 2024 IBF title fight.

Cassius Chaney (24-4, 17 KOs) was mentioned for the "The Ring IV: Night of the Champions" card in Riyadh on November 22, before opting for a more lucrative opportunity to headline a Miami card the following month against cruiserweight hopeful Jake Paul. Seeking more activity in the final years of his career, Rico Verhoeven was slated to be Joshua's next opponent in February before tragedy struck while holidaying in Nigeria on December 29.

Even still, many were unimpressed upon hearing Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) was handed the assignment. A club fighter known most notably on the New Jersey scene stateside, even the Albanian couldn't contain his surprise.

"To be honest when my manager called me and said 'you're gonna fight Joshua', I didn't believe it but I said let's go, it's my time now," Prenga said at the launch press conference.

"I respect him, he's a great fighter and I watched him from the first fight [debut], I grew up with him, now is my time. I train hard, more than ever, feel great, ready and think I'll shock the world."

"They just dig a grave, digging deeper and deeper," Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) replied on the dais in response.

"I'll do what I need to do, I respect him and every opponent but when I look at myself, I know what I'm gonna do and I'll deliver. All the talk is cheap, we will see. This is my division. I belong here, I don't do this as a joke, this is what I'm good at. It's not about him, it's about me."

He then asked Prenga to bring his best and show the 36-year-old no respect come fight night, as he'll be doing the same after some early film study on another opponent promising a career-best display at his expense.

Prenga might appear a soft touch on paper, but the former two-time European kickboxing champion transitioned into the sport late with little amateur experience and has much to gain from exceeding expectations.

Long-reigning GLORY champion Verhoeven did exactly the same against Joshua's former foe-turned-friend Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt last month and the jeopardy is heightened given the carrot dangling afterwards.

"This is my job. I've got an opportunity to work, a chance to improve. I'm really focusing on improving my talent and skill," Joshua said.

"This training camp isn't about getting fit, strong, I really want to improve my boxing IQ and show how good I am because when I do that, I put on clinical performances.

When asked about what he's been improving from immersing himself in life with Team Usyk, Joshua talked about his conditioning and enhanced defensive skills.

"Boxing fitness, IQ, defense, I understand it and can really read punches again. My eyes are fully locked in on my focus, I can see the punches and read the opponent really well, my mind is like that [tunnel vision], isn't focused on too much other stuff."