The former heavyweight world champion returns to the ring for the first time since the tragic deaths of two members of his team in a car accident in Nigeria last December against Kristian Prenga on Saturday (25.07.26) and Hearn - the father of the fighter's promoter Eddie Hearn - is impressed with Joshua's preparation for the bout.

He told Sky Sports News: "AJ looks in the shape of his life. He's been training at Usyk's camp. He's tremendously motivated, not just to win but to put on a show.

"Prenga is dangerous, we don't know too much about him, but Joshua is a ferocious animal at the moment, and you'll see a ferocious animal in there.

"Don't blink, look for fireworks. AJ is not taking anything for granted, he knows he's got a job to do, and he will be ruthlessly efficient. He's in the mood to cause an awful lot of pain on Saturday."

Hearn claims that Joshua, 36, is in an "amazing place" at present and could even continue boxing for several years to come.

He said: "AJ is in an amazing place at the moment. I don't think I've seen him look better than this in the 14 years I've known him or look so motivated for the long term.

"Some of that has been fuelled by that tragic accident, but he's now talking about the next three years in the ring. A year ago, we were talking about potentially two fights and then going off into a happy retirement."

Joshua will be set for a blockbuster fight against compatriot Tyson Fury should he beat Prenga in Saudi Arabia and Hearn is hopeful that the bout can be staged at Wembley Stadium.

He said: "We'd love it at Wembley, that's what we're fighting for. It's a global fight, but we think this is a fight for British fans predominantly.

"The British fans have been very patient. They've put up with 10 years of waiting for this, so we're hoping they'll stick with the terms in AJ's contract, which specify the fight must take place in the UK."