Anthony Joshua return set for July 25 in Riyadh as tune-up vs Kristian Prenga
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in Riyadh on July 25 against Kristian Prenga as a tune-up for Tyson Fury, marking a key step in his comeback and stakes.
Anthony Joshua will make his comeback on July 25 in Riyadh, his promoters announced, when he faces Albanian contender Kristian Prenga in a scheduled tune-up bout. The announcement frames the fight as preparation for a long-anticipated heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury that has now been confirmed. Joshua’s return follows a turbulent period that included a December win, a serious car accident, and a period of rebuilding both physically and professionally.
Joshua confirmed for Riyadh on July 25
Joshua’s team released the fight date and location early Monday, confirming the heavyweight’s return to competition in the Saudi Arabian capital. The bout is intended as an intermediary step ahead of the marquee clash with Fury, giving Joshua ring time against a lower-profile opponent. Promoters described the matchup as part of a strategic plan to bring Joshua back to peak condition while maintaining public momentum for the Fury fight.
Prenga named as tune-up opponent
Kristian Prenga, an Albanian heavyweight, has been tapped as Joshua’s July opponent and will serve as the scheduled warm-up contest. Prenga’s inclusion is designed to offer Joshua a professional fight environment without the immediate pressure of a title eliminator. Observers note that a measured step-up opponent like Prenga allows Joshua to rebuild timing, stamina, and tactical sharpness ahead of a far higher-stakes meeting with Fury.
Context: December win and the subsequent accident
Joshua last fought on December 19, posting a knockout victory that marked his most recent ring appearance. Days after that win, he was involved in a car crash in Nigeria which resulted in the deaths of two friends; Joshua sustained only minor physical injuries. The combination of an in-ring victory and an off-ring tragedy prompted an extended recovery and public reassessment of his near-term plans.
Career trajectory and recent setbacks
Joshua’s career has experienced notable turbulence since his 2017 triumph over Wladimir Klitschko, which vaulted him to the top of the division. He lost his world titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and again in their 2022 rematch, and he suffered a decisive knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024 that cost him another title opportunity. Those defeats, coupled with the emotional and logistical fallout from the accident, have turned this return into a pivotal moment for the former champion.
Training, team changes and preparation
In recent months Joshua has resumed a full training schedule and has been seen working alongside elite heavyweights during sparring sessions. Reports indicate he has trained with top-level fighters to regain sharpness and assess tactical adjustments ahead of the Fury showdown. Promoters and close sources say the July bout is specifically scheduled to provide competitive rounds without jeopardizing his preparation window for the Fury fight.
Implications for the heavyweight landscape
A successful outing in Riyadh would strengthen Joshua’s case for a competitive tilt at the division’s top levels and could add momentum to negotiations and promotion around the Fury meeting. Conversely, another setback would complicate Joshua’s pursuit of a final world-title run and reshape the sport’s matchmaking priorities. For Fury, Joshua’s return offers a clearer timeline for a blockbuster fight that has been the subject of intensive public and commercial interest.
Joshua’s team frames the July fight as an essential building block rather than a career-defining contest, emphasizing recovery, conditioning, and public readiness. The Riyadh date will give promoters a concrete event to market while leaving room to fine-tune plans for the higher-profile clash that follows.
The July 25 return will be watched closely by fans, boxing officials, and global promoters, as it may determine whether Joshua can reestablish himself among the division’s elite and proceed to the confirmed meeting with Tyson Fury.
