Anthony Joshua set for Riyadh comeback fight against Kristian Prenga

Anthony Joshua will return to boxing on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in a comeback bout. The fight will mark Joshua’s first ring appearance since his recent training restart and comes amid continued speculation over a possible showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.

The former unified heavyweight champion has framed the bout as the next step in a longer rebuild. Joshua said he has taken time to “consolidate and rebuild” before stepping back into the ring, and added that he is ready to pick up where he left off.

Why this fight matters

The July meeting is more than a routine comeback. It is being viewed as a possible stepping stone toward the long-discussed all-British clash with Fury, a fight that would be one of the biggest in heavyweight boxing if it is finally finalized.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has pointed to July and November as the key months being discussed for Joshua’s next two fights, with Fury as the likely target if the Riyadh comeback goes to plan. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh also added to the speculation by posting that the Joshua-Fury fight had been signed, although the matchup remains unconfirmed at this stage.

Who is Kristian Prenga?

Kristian Prenga is an Albanian heavyweight based in the United States, and his record shows 20 wins and one loss. Every one of his victories has come inside the distance, which gives him a strong knockout reputation on paper, even if he is stepping into the biggest spotlight of his career against Joshua.

His only defeat came early in his professional career against Giovanni Auriemma in 2017. Prenga has already warned that Joshua is making a mistake by choosing him and said he intends to derail the plans for a bigger fight later this year.

Joshua’s road back

Joshua’s return comes after a difficult period away from the ring, including a car accident in Nigeria in December in which two close friends died. That context makes the Riyadh fight significant not just as a sporting step, but as part of a broader return to competition and routine.

If Joshua beats Prenga, the path toward Fury becomes much clearer. The July fight is therefore likely to be judged not only on the result, but on how Joshua looks physically and how quickly he can return to the level needed for a major heavyweight showdown.

What happens next

If the comeback is successful, November remains the most talked-about target for Joshua-Fury, although no official confirmation has been made. Fury himself has publicly called on Joshua to accept the challenge, insisting the fight is what fans want to see.

For now, Joshua’s immediate task is simple: handle Prenga, stay healthy, and keep the bigger heavyweight picture alive. If he does that, the road to one of boxing’s most anticipated bouts should remain open.

SportsLigue