Anthony Joshua Makes His Comeback Against Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will return to the ring on 25 July in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga.

The announcement confirms Joshua’s next fight after months of uncertainty surrounding his future in boxing. Several boxing outlets reported on Monday that promoter Eddie Hearn sees the bout as part of Joshua’s planned run of fights, with a potential meeting against Tyson Fury still being discussed for later this year.

Anthony Joshua – Instagram

Joshua has spent recent months recovering after stepping away from boxing following a car accident in Nigeria in late 2025 that reportedly claimed the lives of two close friends. His return to training was gradual, while negotiations for the Riyadh event continued behind the scenes.

Prenga enters the contest with a strong knockout record and an aggressive fighting style developed across heavyweight bouts in the United States. The Albanian boxer has already stated publicly that he does not expect to be treated as a routine opponent ahead of the biggest fight of his career.

Kristian Prenga – Instagram

Joshua’s team appears focused on keeping him active as he works toward another run at the top level of the heavyweight division. His last fight ended in a sixth-round stoppage victory over Jake Paul, although attention around Joshua has remained fixed on potential matchups within boxing’s established heavyweight scene.

Saudi Arabia’s influence on elite boxing continues to grow, with Riyadh now hosting many of the sport’s major heavyweight events and negotiations. Reports from British and international media suggest Joshua’s return is expected to form part of a wider schedule of fights and commercial appearances stretching into 2026.

Anthony Joshua – Instagram

Questions around Joshua’s confidence, pacing and tactical discipline have followed him since his defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. A strong performance against Prenga would strengthen his position among leading heavyweight contenders and increase interest in future high-profile fights.

The heavyweight division remains active without a single dominant figure, and Joshua’s return immediately places him back among boxing’s most closely watched names. Much of the attention on 25 July will centre on how convincingly he handles Prenga and what it could mean for the next stage of his career.