Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua will return to the ring on July 25, 2026, in a comeback fight against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout will be Joshua’s first since he survived a fatal car crash in Nigeria in December 2025 that left him injured and claimed the lives of two members of his team.
Prior to that hiatus, Joshua’s last professional appearance was a sixth-round knockout victory in Miami against influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Joshua confirmed that he has agreed to a lucrative multi-fight deal to restart his active career, emphasizing that he has taken deliberate time to consolidate and rebuild his focus following the trauma of the accident.
In a statement released through his promotional team at Matchroom Boxing, Joshua noted that stepping back between the ropes in Riyadh is the definitive next step on that journey.
The 35-year-old Prenga, a physical, US-based former kickboxer, holds an impressive professional record of 20 wins and just one defeat, with every single one of his victories coming by way of knockout.
Get Sport Update on WhatsApp
Catch instant match results, transfer news, and highlights from your favorite teams and leagues
Join
Despite that flawless stoppage ratio, boxing analysts note that he has not yet operated at the elite championship level Joshua represents.
Prenga has expressed heavy confidence ahead of the bout, warning that Joshua made a massive miscalculation by selecting him and vowing to derail the former champion’s future plans.
This fight aligns with ongoing discussions regarding a potential matchup with Tyson Fury, with Saudi official Turki Alalshikh confirming via social media that the deal is finalized for fans.
Fury, meanwhile, recently returned to action with a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov following a 16-month absence.
