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‑born heavyweight Kristian Prenga. This match marks the former unified world champion's first competitive appearance since he resumed training after a devastating car crash in Nigeria last December that claimed the lives of two close friends. The announcement of the July 25 fight was accompanied by fresh confirmation from promoters Turki Alashikh and Eddie Hearn that Joshua’s ultimate goal – a showdown with his long‑time rival Tyson Fury – is now moving from speculation to reality. Hearn and Alashikh both used social media to proclaim that the paperwork for a Joshua‑Fury clash has been signed, sealed and delivered, with the bout expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026.
In a statement, Joshua explained his mindset: "It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild so I’m ready to step back into the ring. 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 colorful metaphor underscores his confidence that the upcoming fight is merely the beginning of a larger plan. The Saudi boxing chief, Turki Alalshikh, had already hinted at the Joshua‑Fury agreement earlier in the week, posting on his social channels, "To my friends in Great Britain. It’s happening, it’s signed." Hearn echoed this sentiment on Instagram, adding that the paperwork confirming the fight was finalised. Ring Magazine later corroborated the news on X, describing the matchup as a "done deal" slated for the latter part of 2026.
Joshua’s path to this point has been anything but smooth. In December 2023, a tragic car accident in Nigeria claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latz Adoyele, leaving the heavyweight champion physically and emotionally scarred. After a period of mourning and recovery, Joshua returned to the gym, focusing on rebuilding his conditioning, sharpening his technique, and regaining confidence through hard sparring sessions.
The fight against Prenga will serve as a litmus test for his readiness to re‑engage with the elite level of the sport. Kristian Prenga, the opponent selected for this comeback, is a 28‑year‑old heavyweight who resides in the United States but was born in Albania. On paper, Prenga boasts an impressive record of 20 wins and a single loss, with every victory coming by stoppage before the final bell.
His lone defeat came early in his career in 2017 against Giovanni Auriemma. Despite his strong statistics, Prenga is relatively unknown in the heavyweight hierarchy, a fact highlighted by Sky Sports boxing analyst Andy Scott, who noted that Prenga may be "the most googled athlete in the last hour" simply because his name has surged into public awareness after being paired with Joshua.
Prenga is not shy about the challenge. He told reporters, "Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent.
This fight could change everything in my life and his. I know they have big plans after this fight. 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, as he aims to use the platform to catapult himself into heavyweight relevance.
The broader context of the fight includes a series of promotional moves designed to maximise exposure. Both Hearn and Alashikh have stressed that the July 25 bout is part of a multi‑fight agreement that will eventually lead to the highly anticipated Joshua‑Fury clash, often billed as the "Battle of Britain" due to the two fighters' British heritage. Fury, who recently secured a victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has publicly challenged Joshua, saying, "I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua.
Let’s give the fans what they want – the Battle of Britain. I challenge you to fight me, the Gypsy King, next.
Do you accept my challenge?" Joshua responded in kind, asserting his dominance: "I’ve been chasing you for ten years. When you’re ready, come and see me and tell me your terms. I’m the boss, you work for me.
I’m the landlord. You work for me." While the verbal sparring between the two champions continues, the practical steps toward the showdown are advancing. Hearn told Sky Sports that the two potential dates being considered for the Fury‑Joshua fight are in July and November, with the promoters expecting to move forward once the July 25 fight is completed. Fury’s recent 12‑round tune‑up against Makhmudov was described as essential for sharpening his skills ahead of the anticipated mega‑event.
From a logistical standpoint, the Saudi bout will be a relatively low‑profile affair compared with the massive stadium spectacles that both fighters have previously headlined. The venue in Riyadh offers a more intimate setting, allowing Joshua to gauge his physical condition, timing, and ring craft after months away from competition. Analysts suggest that a decisive victory over Prenga would cement Joshua’s status as a legitimate contender and set the stage for a high‑stakes clash with Fury later in the year. In summary, Anthony Joshua’s comeback fight on July 25 in Saudi Arabia serves multiple purposes: it is a personal test of recovery after tragedy, a strategic stepping stone toward a historic bout with Tyson Fury, and a platform for an under‑the‑radar heavyweight, Kristian Prenga, to make a name for himself.
The boxing world will be watching closely, not only to see how Joshua performs after his hiatus but also to gauge the momentum leading up to what could become one of the most significant events in British boxing history.