Former heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, is set to make his return to professional boxing on July 25, 2026, when he faces Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fight will mark Joshua’s first appearance in the ring since December 2025, when he was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria that reportedly left him injured and claimed the lives of two members of his team. The incident forced him into a lengthy break from the sport.
Before stepping away, Joshua’s last outing ended in a sixth-round knockout win over influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami.
According to his promotional team, Matchroom Boxing, the 35-year-old Briton has now agreed to a multi-fight deal as part of his return to active competition. Joshua said the time away allowed him to recover physically and reset mentally after what he described as a deeply traumatic period.
He added that the upcoming bout in Riyadh represents the next step in rebuilding his career.
His opponent, Kristian Prenga, enters the fight with an unbeaten record of 20 wins, all by knockout. The 35-year-old, who is based in the United States and has a background in kickboxing, is known for his aggressive style and punching power.
Despite his perfect knockout streak, boxing analysts have pointed out that Prenga is yet to face elite-level opposition comparable to Joshua’s experience on the world stage.
Prenga, however, has already made bold statements ahead of the clash, insisting Joshua may have underestimated him and promising to end the former champion’s comeback plans.
The fight is also seen as part of a broader heavyweight build-up that could lead to a long-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh confirmed the bout arrangement on social media, adding further excitement to the heavyweight division.
Fury himself recently returned to action with a unanimous decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov after a 16-month break, setting the stage for renewed interest in potential mega-fights.
As anticipation builds, Joshua’s comeback in Riyadh is expected to draw global attention, marking a crucial moment in the next chapter of his career.
