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 bout against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga. The former unified world champion has been out of competition since a tragic car crash in Nigeria last December that claimed the lives of two close friends and left him physically and emotionally shaken. After months of rehabilitation and a careful re‑entry into training, Joshua confirmed that the Saudi event will mark his first professional fight since that devastating incident.
The announcement came alongside statements from his promoters, Turki Al‑Alshikh and Eddie Hearn, who used the occasion to reaffirm that a much‑anticipated clash with rival Tyson Fury is now on the calendar for later in the year. In a press release, Joshua said, "I've taken the necessary time to rebuild and consolidate my game plan, and this fight is the next step on that journey.
I'm thrilled to have secured a multi‑fight agreement that kicks off on July 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I look forward to stepping back into the ring and picking up where I left off. As I always say, the landlord will collect his rent – that's a certainty." Al‑Alshikh had already hinted at the Fury showdown on social media, posting, "To my friends in Great Britain – it's happening, it's signed," which sparked a wave of speculation that the two British heavyweights were close to sealing a deal. Hearn echoed the sentiment on Instagram, declaring the paperwork "signed, sealed, delivered" and confirming that AJ vs.
Fury is officially on the books. Ring Magazine later corroborated the news on X, labeling the bout a "done deal" slated for the fourth quarter of 2026. Fury, who recently defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has publicly challenged Joshua, calling him the "Gypsy King" and urging a "Battle of Britain" that fans have been yearning for. "I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua.
Let's give the fight fans what they want – the Battle of Britain," Fury said after his victory. Joshua responded in kind, noting that he has been chasing Fury for a decade and that when the British champion is ready, he should come forward with his terms. "I'm the boss, you work for me. I'm the landlord," Joshua quipped, underscoring the competitive banter that has defined their rivalry.
Regardless of the outcome against Prenga, Joshua's performance will serve as a barometer for his readiness to face Fury in what could become an era‑defining showdown and one of the most significant events in British boxing history. The Saudi fight is being framed as a low‑profile, test‑the‑waters return, allowing Joshua to gauge his conditioning, sparring intensity, and mental fortitude after the trauma of the crash. Kristian Prenga, a US‑based Albanian heavyweight, arrives in Riyadh with an impressive record on paper: 20 wins and a single loss, all of his victories coming by stoppage before the final bell. His lone defeat dates back to 2017, when he was outpointed by Giovanni Auriemma early in his career.
Prenga expressed confidence in the pre‑fight press conference, stating, "Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he miscalculated picking me as his opponent. This fight could change everything for both of us. I know big plans are in motion, and I'm ready to derail them and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia." Sky Sports boxing analyst Andy Scott noted that Prenga has become one of the most searched athletes in recent hours, despite not being a household name in the heavyweight division.
"This is essentially an Anthony Joshua test‑the‑water comeback fight," Scott explained, acknowledging the emotional weight of Joshua's recent loss of friends Sina Ghami and Latz Adoyele in the car accident. "He's endured physical trauma, returned to camp, and is taking a measured approach to his comeback.
The Saudi bout offers a controlled environment to assess his readiness for a larger stage." The broader boxing calendar for 2026 features several marquee events, with the Joshua‑Fury clash expected to headline the latter part of the year. Hearn has indicated that July and November are the two potential windows for the Fury fight, and both camps appear eager to move forward.
"Fury just had his tune‑up fight – 12 vital rounds to sharpen him for the next one – and we expect to do the same with AJ," Hearn told Sky Sports. In addition to the main fight, the promotion has highlighted ancillary content such as the Toe2Toe podcast, streaming options via NOW, and curated boxing highlights to engage fans worldwide.
Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video player experience. Overall, Joshua's July 25 bout in Riyadh represents a pivotal moment in his career: a chance to demonstrate resilience after personal tragedy, to test his physical condition against a credible opponent, and to set the stage for a potentially historic clash with Tyson Fury later in the year.
The boxing community will be watching closely as the former champion seeks to reclaim his place at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division.