Anthony Joshua’s recent opponent Kristian Prenga lasted less than two rounds before being knocked out, but the toughest challenge for the British heavyweight may have come months earlier against Jake Paul, according to Most Valuable Promotions partner Nakisa Bidarian.
Joshua returned to the ring last weekend for the first time since his December loss to Paul, a YouTuber who later took up boxing. Prenga, an unfancied Albanian fighter, sent Joshua to the canvas twice in the first round. Joshua recovered both times and stopped Prenga in the second, keeping his hopes alive for a potential end-of-year bout with Tyson Fury.
Paul’s performance looms over Joshua’s comeback
Bidarian said Paul presented a greater test than Prenga, despite the early knockdowns. Paul lasted six rounds against Joshua before being stopped by a knockout punch that broke his jaw. Prenga, in contrast, was out in two rounds after taking similar shots.
“Jake Paul won more than the guy on Saturday night won,” Bidarian told Sky Sports News. “He was in there for six rounds. That dude was out in two rounds, taking the same shots Jake was taking. I’m very happy with his performance, not happy with the outcome, and didn’t like that he broke his jaw, but the hardest shots on Jake Paul didn’t do what they did to a heavyweight on Saturday.”
The fight against Prenga marked Joshua’s first since surviving a fatal car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua dedicated his victory to them, and Bidarian spoke about the emotional toll of the moment.
“I’m proud of him, in awe of him, thinking of him,” Bidarian said. “I sent him messages throughout the week. We developed a relationship with Sina, which was hard for all of us, but no one suffered more than their families and AJ, who was part of their family. For him to make that walk seven months later, to go into the ring with that emotion, I’m sure it weighed on him. Massive respect, massive admiration.”
Paul’s return
Paul hasn’t fought since his loss to Joshua, but Bidarian is adamant his boxing career is anything but over.
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The Most Valuable Promotions CEO outlined a lengthy shortlist of would-be opponents for Paul, which included former UFC star Francis Ngannou, Britain’s Chris Eubank Jr and WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia.
“100 per cent he’s boxing again,” Bidarian declared.
“Jake wants to fight Ngannou, Ryan Garcia, but Tommy Fury is a fight that makes sense. Edgar Berlanga, that’s a fascinating fight. I also like Chris Eubank Jr, that’s a fascinating fight.
“The fighters on the other side also need to be realistic. Sometimes their eyes are bigger than what the box office affords us to pay.”
Joshua’s focus stays on Fury, while Paul’s next move could define his future in the sport. The difference between their fights—one a quick stoppage, the other a six-round battle—sparks debate over which truly pushed Joshua harder.
Bidarian’s comments highlight how much surprise upsets can shift perceptions in combat sports.