Anthony Joshua has locked in his next move, setting up a summer return that could shape the final stretch of his career.
The former two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the event tied to the Esports World Cup and expected to stream on DAZN.
For Joshua, this fight represents more than just another comeback. The 35-year-old enters with a professional record of 28-4, coming off a sixth-round knockout win over Jake Paul in December 2025. That victory followed a high-profile setback in September 2024, when he was stopped by Daniel Dubois in the fifth round during their IBF heavyweight title clash at Wembley Stadium.
“AJ’s” time away from the ring has also been shaped by personal loss, after two close friends and team members were killed in a car accident in Nigeria later in December.
Joshua has since spoken about taking time to reset before committing to his next phase.
“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 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Meanwhile, Prenga brings an unbeaten finishing reputation despite being less established on the global stage. The 35-year-old Albanian holds a 20-1 record with all 20 wins coming by knockout.
A former kickboxer who transitioned directly into professional boxing without an amateur background, Prenga has built his recent run fighting in the United States, most recently extending his streak with another stoppage victory.
While the matchup positions Joshua as the clear A-side, it also serves a bigger purpose. The July bout is expected to act as a stepping stone toward a long-discussed showdown with Tyson Fury. According to reports, the heavyweight clash is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, contingent on Joshua getting through his return outing.