Anthony Joshua is set to make his long‑awaited return to the ring on July 25, when he steps into the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to face Albanian‑born heavyweight Kristian Prenga. The fight marks the former unified world champion’s first competitive appearance since he resumed training after a devastating car crash in Nigeria last December, an accident that claimed the lives of two close friends and left him physically and emotionally shaken. The announcement of the comeback fight was made official by Joshua’s promoters, Turki Al‑Alshikh and Eddie Hearn, who also used the occasion to confirm that a much‑anticipated showdown with his long‑time rival Tyson Fury is now firmly on the calendar for later in the year. In a statement, Joshua said, “It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild so I’m ready to step 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‑Alshikh had already stoked speculation on Monday by posting on social media that the Joshua‑Fury bout was “signed” and heading to Great Britain.
Hearn echoed the sentiment on Instagram, declaring the paperwork “signed, sealed, delivered” and confirming that the clash with Fury is a done deal. Ring Magazine later corroborated the news, indicating that the fight is slated for the fourth quarter of 2026. The background to the Fury‑Joshua showdown dates back to Fury’s recent victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After that win, Fury publicly challenged Joshua, saying, “I want you, AJ. Let’s give the 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 that he has been chasing Fury for a decade and that when Fury is 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.” Regardless of how the July 25 bout unfolds, the outcome will set the tone for the potential historic clash with Fury, which many analysts predict could become one of the biggest events in British boxing history.
The fight with Prenga is being positioned as a “test‑the‑water” comeback, allowing Joshua to gauge his fitness, timing, and confidence after months of rehabilitation and light training. Kristian Prenga, who resides in the United States but represents Albania, arrives with an impressive record on paper: 20 wins and a single loss, all of his victories coming before the final bell.
His lone defeat dates back to 2017 against Giovanni Auriemma, a bout that occurred early in his career. Prenga has expressed confidence, stating, “Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation picking me as his opponent.
This fight could change everything for both of us. I know they have big plans after this fight, and I’m happy to be part of it.
I will derail their plans 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. He emphasized that the fight is essentially a comeback test for Joshua, who is still processing the trauma of the December crash that claimed his friends Sina Ghami and Latz Adoyele. “He’s gone through the physical trauma of the accident, returned to camp, and is taking it slow,” Scott explained.
“This will be the test to see how he handles training, hard sparring, and the pressure of a big fight week. In Saudi Arabia, it will be a lower‑profile return, but it’s a fight they expect him to win.” The logistical details of the event include a recommendation for viewers to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, a note that appears multiple times in promotional material. In addition to the main fight, the promotion highlights various boxing‑related content, such as the “Boxing schedule 2026” feature, a contract‑free streaming service called NOW, the weekly Toe2Toe podcast, and curated boxing highlights.
Eddie Hearn has previously told Sky Sports that July and November are the two dates currently under consideration for a Joshua‑Fury bout, indicating that negotiations are progressing and that both fighters are expected to stay sharp with tune‑up fights. Fury’s recent 12‑round victory over Makhmudov was described as a vital warm‑up, and Hearn suggested that Joshua will follow a similar preparation path. In summary, Anthony Joshua’s July 25 comeback against Kristian Prenga serves as a crucial stepping stone toward a potentially career‑defining encounter with Tyson Fury later this year. While the Saudi Arabian venue offers a relatively subdued backdrop for his return, the fight will provide valuable insight into Joshua’s physical condition and mental readiness after a tragic accident.
If he can secure a convincing win, the stage will be set for a blockbuster clash that could capture the imagination of boxing fans worldwide and cement his legacy in the sport.