Anthony Joshua is officially back. The British heavyweight star will return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, taking on Albanian knockout artist Kristian Prenga in a pivotal comeback bout.
If Joshua emerges victorious, the long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury is now reportedly set for late 2026 a fight already being billed as one of the biggest in British boxing history, expected to stream globally on Netflix.
A Comeback Fueled by Tragedy
Joshua’s return comes after a deeply personal setback. The 36-year-old has not fought since a December 2025 car accident in Lagos that tragically claimed the lives of two close friends. While Joshua suffered only minor injuries, questions lingered about whether he would ever step back into the ring.
He answered those questions in an emotional video a month later, confirming his intention to continue fighting. “It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild… today is the next step on that journey,” Joshua said in a press release. “I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off.”
The Tune-Up Before Fury
Despite immediate speculation about a showdown with Fury, Joshua insisted on taking an interim fight first and now that opponent is set. Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) enters with a perfect knockout ratio, though he has yet to compete at the elite level or in a scheduled 12-round contest. His lone loss came via decision in 2017.
Still, the 35-year-old is embracing the underdog role. “Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation,” Prenga said. “I will derail their plans and shock the world.”
The bout will headline a DAZN card during the Esports World Cup in Riyadh’s Boulevard City.
Fury Fight “Signed”
Momentum toward Joshua vs. Fury has accelerated in recent weeks. Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and owner of The Ring Magazine, declared on social media: “To my friends in Great Britain it’s happening. It’s signed.”
Joshua and Fury recently crossed paths at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following Fury’s win over Arslanbek Makhmudov. The two exchanged words, but Joshua declined a face-off, stating he wouldn’t engage until the fight was officially finalized.
Joshua’s Recent Run
This will be Joshua’s first fight since his December 2025 stoppage win over Jake Paul in Miami. Before that, he suffered a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2025 a setback that made his rebuilding process even more critical.
Saudi Arabia has played a central role in Joshua’s recent career resurgence:
- Defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. to regain titles (2019)
- Lost rematch to Oleksandr Usyk (2021)
- Knocked out Otto Wallin (2023)
- Stopped Francis Ngannou (2024)
Make no mistake this fight is about more than just Prenga. It’s about positioning for the biggest payday and legacy fight left in British boxing: Joshua vs. Fury. But first, Joshua must handle business. Because in heavyweight boxing, overlooking a knockout puncher even one untested at the top level can change everything.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
