Anthony Joshua returns July 25 in Riyadh against Kristian Prenga, a risky comeback that could impact a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, today confirmed that Anthony Joshua will make his long-awaited return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the event set to stream live worldwide on DAZN.
The Olympic gold medalist and former two-time unified heavyweight champion will headline “The Comeback,” part of the Esports World Cup Festival, as he faces dangerous knockout specialist Kristian Prenga (20-1; 20KOs) in a high-stakes heavyweight clash.
Joshua enters the bout with a professional record of 28 wins and 4 losses, including 25 knockouts. His most recent outing saw him secure a knockout victory over Jake Paul in December 2025. After a period away from the ring, Joshua made it clear he has used the time to reset and prepare for another run at the top.
“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,” Joshua said. “I’m delighted to have agreed a multi-fight deal starting with July 25th 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.”
Over the past eight years, Joshua has been at the center of boxing’s biggest heavyweight moments, claiming and defending world titles with defining victories over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev, and Andy Ruiz Jr. He has also featured in blockbuster contests against Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois, and Francis Ngannou, headlining massive stadium events at Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Standing opposite him is Prenga, a formidable and largely untested force at the elite level. The Albanian boasts a perfect knockout ratio, with 20 wins all coming by stoppage, alongside a single defeat. At 35, he now steps into the spotlight in the biggest fight of his career.
“Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent,” Prenga said. “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.”
Beyond the immediate stakes, this fight carries significant implications for the heavyweight division—particularly a long-discussed super fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury. Widely regarded as one of the most anticipated matchups in modern boxing, a Joshua–Fury clash has so far failed to materialize despite years of speculation. However, taking on a dangerous puncher like Prenga introduces real risk. A loss—or even a punishing, injury-filled victory—could derail momentum or delay negotiations, once again putting that marquee bout in jeopardy. For Joshua, this is not just a comeback fight; it’s a high-risk gateway to the biggest payday and legacy-defining opportunity still on the table.