‘He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury’: Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua’s Prenga scare

Anthony Joshua winning by second round knockout made plenty of predictions come true on Saturday, but how he got there was another story.

Joshua (30-4, 27 KO) had a big scare in the first round, when he was knocked down twice by Prenga (20-2, 20 KO) and just looked like he was on bad legs, before coming back to KO the massive underdog.

No titles were on the line, but Joshua’s supposed, long-anticipated, overdue clash with Tyson Fury was. After Fury won his non-threatening tune-up easily on Friday, Joshua struggled more, but they both got the job done.

Promoter Eddie Hearn thinks Joshua can still beat Fury even if he fights like he did against Prenga, but admits that Joshua must be better or he’ll be relying only on his power.

“He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury, because he’s got the power to knock anyone out,” Hearn said. “But he’s got to be better, because Prenga’s not as good as Tyson Fury. (Prenga) punches way harder, but he ain’t as good as him. So he’s got to be better.

“But one thing you will have to do is nail AJ to the canvas to beat him. That’s the reality. Win, lose, or draw, he’s giving you unbelievable drama.”

Hearn was also asked if he felt Joshua may have struggled to “get up for” the fight with Prenga, and if he’ll be more motivated to face Fury.

“Would he be much sharper against an opponent like Fury? I can’t tell you the answer,” Hearn said. “All I know is he’s going to give you 110 percent. And I stand by, if he hits him on the chin, the fight’s over. And I believe he knocks (Fury) out.”