Anthony Joshua is set to make his long‑awaited return to the ring on July 25, when he steps into the Riyadh arena in Saudi Arabia for a comeback fight against Kristian Prenga. The former unified heavyweight champion has been out of competition since a tragic car crash in Nigeria last December that claimed the lives of two close friends and forced him to pause his training. Now, after months of rehabilitation and rebuilding his fitness, Joshua is ready to test his readiness in front of a live audience.
The announcement of the July 25 bout was made jointly by Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn and Saudi boxing chief Turki Alashikh. Both men used their social‑media platforms to confirm that the fight is part of a multi‑fight agreement that will see the British heavyweight eventually face his long‑time rival Tyson Fury later in the year.
Hearn posted a short video stating, "Signed, sealed, delivered! AJ vs Fury is on!" while Alashikh tweeted, "To my friends in Great Britain. It's happening, it's signed." Ring Magazine has also labeled the Fury showdown as a "done deal," predicting it will take place in the fourth quarter of 2026. Joshua himself addressed the upcoming match in a press release, saying, "It's no secret I've taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring and today is the next step on that journey.
I'm delighted to have agreed a multi‑fight deal starting with July 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I'm looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off. As I said: The landlord will collect his rent.
That is certain." His remarks, while cryptic, underscore his confidence that the July fight will serve as a springboard toward the much‑anticipated clash with Fury, often billed as the "Battle of Britain." The opponent chosen for Joshua's comeback is Kristian Prenga, an Albanian‑born heavyweight who currently resides in the United States. On paper, Prenga boasts an impressive 20‑1 record, with every victory coming by way of knockout or technical stoppage. His sole loss dates back to 2017, when he was defeated by Giovanni Auriemma early in his career.
Despite his limited name‑recognition among casual fans, Prenga has generated a surprising amount of online buzz, prompting Sky Sports boxing analyst Andy Scott to note that "Kristian Prenga is probably the most googled athlete in the last hour – because, on the surface of things, he's not the best known heavyweight." Prenga has not shied away from the spotlight, declaring, "Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent. This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his. I know they have big plans ahead after this fight.
I know they are overlooking me. I'm happy about that.
I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia." His confidence adds an extra layer of intrigue to what many pundits are calling a "test‑the‑water" bout for Joshua, designed to gauge his physical condition after the trauma of the car accident and the emotional toll of losing two dear friends, Sina Ghami and Latz Adoyele. The context surrounding Joshua's return is crucial.
The December crash not only resulted in the tragic loss of his companions but also left him with physical injuries that required months of rehabilitation. According to Hearn, Joshua has been rebuilding his camp slowly, focusing on hard sparring sessions and conditioning work to ensure he can handle the rigors of a heavyweight fight week.
"He's gone through the physical trauma of the car accident. He has to go back into camp, which he has done, and he's taking it slow," said Andy Scott. "This will be the test to see how he gets on in the training camp, hard sparring, and the pressure of a big fight week. In Saudi Arabia, it will be a more low‑profile return for Joshua.
It's a fight that they've made that he should win." Beyond the immediate stakes of the Prenga matchup, the fight carries broader implications for the heavyweight division. Tyson Fury, the current WBC champion, has already hinted at his willingness to face Joshua after his own recent victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fury's post‑fight comments were blunt: "I've signed.
I signed months ago. I don't know if he signed," he said, referencing a pre‑existing contract for a future bout with Joshua.
After defeating Makhmudov, Fury publicly challenged the British heavyweight, stating, "I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let's give the fight fans what they want – the Battle of Britain.
I challenge you Anthony Joshua to fight me the Gypsy King next. Do you accept my challenge?" Joshua responded in kind, noting, "I've been chasing you the last 10 years, when you're ready you come and see me and tell me your terms and conditions. I'm the boss, you work for me. I'm the landlord.
You work for me." While the exchange was peppered with bravado, both camps appear to be moving toward a concrete agreement, with Hearn confirming that July and November are the two dates currently under consideration for a potential Fury‑Joshua showdown. The upcoming July 25 event will be broadcast via a video player that, according to the promotion, works best in the Chrome browser, ensuring fans worldwide can follow the action. In addition to the live fight, the event will feature ancillary content such as the weekly Toe2Toe podcast, a roundup of the best boxing highlights, and promotional material for the NOW streaming service, which offers contract‑free boxing coverage.
In summary, Anthony Joshua's comeback fight against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh marks a pivotal moment in his career. It serves as both a personal comeback after a devastating accident and a strategic stepping stone toward a potentially historic clash with Tyson Fury later in 2026. Whether Joshua secures a decisive victory over Prenga or faces unexpected challenges, the bout will set the tone for the next chapter of heavyweight boxing, reigniting interest among British fans and positioning both fighters for a showdown that could define the era.