Success must come first, then celebration' – Anthony Joshua claims with Fury bout on horizon

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Britain’s Anthony Joshua speaks during a press conference in London on June 1, 2026, ahead of the boxing match against Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia in July. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

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Anthony Joshua said Monday he would not celebrate that a deal has finally been struck for a heavyweight clash with rival Tyson Fury until after he won.

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

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The pair are heading for a long-awaited ‘Battle of Britain’, probably in November, but before both boxers are eyeing a warm-up fight.

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Joshua will face unheralded Albanian Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25 in his first bout since being involved in a car crash in Nigeria last December which killed two of his close friends.

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Fury last week posted a video in an Instagram story showing him back in training in Thailand alongside the caption: “Let’s go August 1, Dublin, Ireland.”

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Fury, 37, could take a place on a card being put together by veteran promoter Frank Warren in the Irish capital on that date.

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No opponent has yet been named, although Warren has ruled out Fury fighting Andy Ruiz Jr, who dethroned Joshua as world champion in 2019 before losing the rematch later that year.

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On Monday, Joshua insisted it was time to get back to work as he prepares to take on little-known Prenga.

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The fight was originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh, but at their head-to-head press conference it was revealed it has been moved to Jeddah – Saudi Arabia’s second largest city.

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The 36-year-old Joshua has not fought a meaningful opponent since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024.

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“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,” Joshua said.

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“You have to put a road map in front of a fighter and show them what is point one, point two, point three. It gives purpose and focus. I know what my year looks like.

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“Give me the opportunity to fight Prenga, give me the opportunity to fight Fury, give me the opportunity to fight for the championship.

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“It ain’t about looking past anyone, it’s just knowing your purpose and knowing your steps forward and moving up the ladder.

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“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.”

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AFP

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