Error code: %{errorCode}
Darren Barker: A fired-up, motivated, committed AJ awaits Prenga
In his latest exclusive column for DAZN News, Darren Barker explains why he cannot wait to see Anthony Joshua return to the ring on July 25.
AJ is a man on a mission
Anthony Joshua was completely locked in at the launch press conference for his comeback fight.
He was fully focused and looked like a man on a mission. Somebody who knows what they want.
He’s motivated by winning — and it’s brilliant. As simple as that sounds, I think that's why we all start in this sport.
For me, the feeling of winning, there isn't anything else like it. It's just the greatest feeling in the world when you win a boxing match.
It's the only drug that anybody needs. It's just phenomenal, that feeling. And that's what AJ wants.
He wants that feeling again. Of course, there are other things that have happened in his life. Tragic things.
So he'll also be looking to succeed for the friends he’s lost. As I know from losing my brother, it makes you almost an unstoppable force when you're doing it for someone else.
That's a combination that will make him a very hard man to beat.
In Kristian Prenga, Joshua is in there on July 25 with someone that can whack. If I'm honest, that’s Prenga’s one and only chance of winning this fight.
He won't be able to outbox Joshua. But if he was to land a shot, it's the world of the giants. You just don't know.
He looks a big lump and has 20 knockouts from his 20 wins. But he's up against it.
I just feel that as dangerous as he possibly could be, it’s about levels, although I don't want to downplay him.
Everyone's got a chance. It's a two-horse race. We've seen some unbelievable upsets recently.
The one that springs to mind was Zak Chelli and David Morrell. I didn’t see that coming and these things can happen.
Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
But I think Prenga’s in with a fired-up, motivated, committed Anthony Joshua. It doesn't get much tougher than that.
Once Prenga is out of the way, Tyson Fury will hopefully be next. That one will have an electric atmosphere.
It'll bring some intrigue. It'll split opinions. Everyone will forget that it should have already happened a few years ago. Fingers crossed it happens this time.
If it does, I feel like Joshua could do it. I really do.
As long as he just does him and doesn't worry about external noise or is too concerned about Fury, I think he's got a hell of a chance.
Darren Barker was speaking to Gavin Glicksman
Watch Fury vs. Hall exclusively on DAZN
'The Beauty' Tommy Fury fights the 'The Beast' Eddie Hall on a great Misfits fight night on Saturday, June 13, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27), Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
