The former world champion and Klitschko conqueror will first make his comeback in Riyadh against Albanian Kristian Prenga
Former boxing world champion Anthony Joshua will return to the ring in Riyadh on July 25. As the promoters of the former Klitschko conqueror announced on Monday, the Briton will face Albanian Kristian Prenga seven months after his serious traffic accident. The duel is to serve as a preparation fight for the eagerly awaited and now confirmed heavyweight clash against Tyson Fury.
Joshua had won his last fight to date on December 19 last year against influencer Jake Paul by knockout. Just days later, the 36-year-old was involved in a car accident in Nigeria in which two of his friends were killed. Joshua himself was only slightly injured. Most recently, he trained again with heavyweight champion Alexander Usyk, among others.
Boxing: Joshua is working towards the Fury fight
“It’s no secret that I’ve been taking time to rebuild and strengthen myself so I’m ready to return to the ring and this is the next step in that journey,” said Joshua, who stands at 29 wins from 33 professional fights: “I’m looking forward to getting back into competition and picking up right where I left off. “
Joshua, meanwhile, is working towards the Fury fight scheduled for November, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn also providing official confirmation of the ”Battle of Britain“ on Monday.
”Signed, sealed, done! AJ vs Fury is confirmed,” Hearn wrote on Instagram. Former champ Fury himself made his comeback just over two weeks ago with a points win over Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. Joshua was present at the spectacle in London.
Joshua’s career has stalled badly in recent years after he lost his world championship belts to Usyk in 2021. He was also defeated by the Ukrainian in the rematch the following year and missed another title opportunity in 2024 with a crushing knockout loss to Daniel Dubois. Since then, the man who retired Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 has been looking for what could be his last chance at a world title fight.
