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. The former unified heavyweight champion will face Albanian‑born, U.S.‑based contender Kristian Prenga in what is being billed as a pivotal test after a difficult year for Joshua.
This match marks his first official contest since resuming training following a tragic car accident in Nigeria last December, an incident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. The announcement of the July 25 fight was made alongside statements from Joshua's promoters, Turki Al‑Alashikh and Eddie Hearn, who also confirmed that the long‑rumoured showdown with rival Tyson Fury is now moving toward reality later in the year. Joshua himself said, "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." Al‑Alashikh had already hinted at the Fury‑Joshua clash on social media, writing, "To my friends in Great Britain.
It's happening, it's signed," and Hearn echoed the sentiment on Instagram, declaring the paperwork "Signed, sealed, delivered! AJ vs Fury is on!" Ring Magazine later confirmed the bout as a "done deal," slated for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Fury himself has spoken about the agreement, noting that he signed his side of the contract months ago after his recent victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "I've signed. I signed months ago.
I don't know if he signed," Fury said, adding that both camps appear to be aligned on the upcoming clash. The July 25 fight against Prenga serves as a stepping stone toward that bigger confrontation. Hearn told Sky Sports that the two potential dates for the Fury‑Joshua fight are July and November, with both parties eager to move forward.
"Fury has just had his tune‑up fight with 12 really vital rounds to get him sharp for the next one and I expect us to do the same," Hearn explained, underscoring the importance of a solid warm‑up for both fighters. After Fury outpointed Makhmudov, he publicly challenged Joshua, calling him "the Gypsy King" and demanding a "Battle of Britain" that fans have long anticipated.
"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," Fury declared.
Joshua responded in kind, saying, "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." Regardless of the outcome against Prenga, Joshua appears poised to pursue the Fury showdown, a bout that could become a defining moment in British boxing history. Prenga, who boasts a professional record of 20 wins and a single loss, has never gone beyond the distance in any of his victories. His lone defeat came early in his career against Giovanni Auriemma in 2017.
Speaking ahead of the fight, Prenga expressed confidence, stating, "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." Sky Sports boxing analyst Andy Scott noted that Prenga may be the most searched heavyweight athlete at the moment, but emphasized that the bout is essentially a "test‑the‑water" comeback for Joshua. He reminded viewers that Joshua endured a severe car crash that claimed his friends Sina Ghami and Latz Adoyele, causing both physical and emotional trauma. "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. 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," Scott explained.
The Saudi venue adds a unique backdrop to the comeback, offering Joshua a relatively low‑key environment to gauge his readiness without the intense spotlight of a UK arena. Nonetheless, the fight carries significant weight: a successful performance could accelerate negotiations for the Fury clash, while a poor showing might delay or derail those plans. For Prenga, the opportunity to face a former world champion on an international stage could catapult his career, especially if he manages to pull off an upset. Beyond the immediate stakes, the broader boxing calendar for 2026 is shaping up with several high‑profile matchups.
Fans can look forward to streaming options, such as the NOW platform, and weekly podcasts like Toe2Toe that dissect upcoming fights. The sport continues to evolve with digital highlights and social media buzz driving engagement. In summary, Joshua's July 25 fight in Riyadh serves multiple purposes: it marks his return after personal tragedy, provides a platform to assess his physical condition and ring rust, and acts as a springboard toward a potentially historic showdown with Tyson Fury later in the year.
The bout against Kristian Prenga, while perhaps modest in profile, carries the weight of a comeback narrative and the promise of future blockbuster events that could reshape the heavyweight division for years to come.