Joshua vs. Prenga - Joshua names the hardest puncher he has ever faced and it's not Ruiz or Usyk

Anthony Joshua is back in the ring this weekend as he takes on Kristian Prenga with a fight with Tyson Fury his reward for victory.

Joshua has faced some of boxing’s biggest punchers, but who does he consider the hardest hitter he has ever stepped foot in the ring with? 

An amateur sensation who burst onto the scene in 2011 with silver at the World Championships, Joshua would go one better in the Olympics when securing gold the following year in London as he became an instant superstar. 

Embarking on a professional journey in 2013, Joshua was world champion within three years as he destroyed Charles Martin in 2016 to win the IBF crown. 

After reaching the highest platform in the heavyweight division, Joshua would partake in several high-profile fights as he took on major names on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 before dropping his world titles to Andy Ruiz two years later when he was stopped in seven rounds.   

When speaking in 2024 on the subject of the biggest puncher he has faced, Joshua awarded Klitschko the honour. 

“Who’s hit me the hardest? Yeah, Klitschko,” said Joshua when speaking on the Pound for Pound podcast. 

“I was gonna say Ruiz, but when he hit me that was like a concussion on the back of my head.  

“When I went in with Klitschko, yeah, I just knew this could go two ways. I could either win or I’m gonna be laid out on my back. You know when you get carried out on a stretcher?”

Joshua vs. Prenga - exclusively on DAZN PPV

Watch Anthony Joshua's hugely anticipated return to the ring versus Kristian Prenga on Saturday, July 25 only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Itauma vs. Hrgovic and Canelo vs. Mbilli PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.