Anthony Joshua will return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga. The bout, announced by Turki Alalshikh, is seen as a key step toward a long-awaited all-British showdown with Tyson Fury.
The Joshua–Prenga fight will stream globally on DAZN. A potential mega-fight between Joshua and Fury is expected to be broadcast on Netflix.
Long-Awaited Rivalry Nears Reality
A fight between Joshua and Fury has been anticipated for more than a decade. The two fighters even shared the ring during a notable sparring session in 2011, when Joshua was still an amateur.
Between February 2020 and September 2021, the pair held all four major heavyweight titles. A deal for a unification bout was agreed at the time, but a court ruling forced Fury to complete a trilogy with Deontay Wilder instead.
While Fury went on to stop Wilder in their third fight, Joshua lost his titles later in 2021 to Oleksandr Usyk, ending hopes of an undisputed clash.
Now, with both fighters in the later stages of their careers, the long-awaited bout appears closer than ever—provided Joshua wins in July.
Joshua Rebuilding After Setbacks
Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs), a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, has had a mixed run in recent years.
He suffered a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 while challenging for the IBF title. Following the defeat, he underwent elbow surgery and made changes to his training setup, joining the team of former rival Usyk in Valencia, Spain, led by Iegor Golub.
He returned to action in December with a high-profile win, knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round of a widely watched bout.
However, shortly after that victory, Joshua was involved in a car accident that claimed the lives of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodel. While he avoided major injuries, he reportedly suffered whiplash and internal issues and has been recovering since.
Prenga Seeking Breakthrough Opportunity
Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs), an Albanian fighter based in New Jersey, enters the bout on a 16-fight winning streak. His only loss came in 2017 against Giovanni Auriemma.
The 35-year-old has built his record against relatively modest opposition, collecting regional titles such as the WBA Fedecentro and NABA belts. He most recently fought in February, stopping Joe Jones in the first round.
Fury’s Position Ahead of Mega-Fight
Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs), a former two-time heavyweight champion, is also looking to rebuild momentum.
He suffered both of his career defeats in 2024 against Usyk, including a loss in a fight for the undisputed heavyweight title. After briefly retiring, Fury returned earlier this month with a victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
It remains unclear whether Fury will take another fight before a potential showdown with Joshua.
What Comes Next
For now, the focus is on July 25. A victory for Joshua would keep alive one of boxing’s most anticipated matchups.
After years of delays, the stage may finally be set for Joshua vs. Fury—a fight fans have been waiting for more than a decade to see.
