Joshua Returns to Riyadh for Key Heavyweight Bout
Anthony Joshua will return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He will face Kristian Prenga in a scheduled heavyweight fight.
Turki Alalshikh announced the bout. He described it as an important step toward a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury.
The Joshua–Prenga fight will stream globally on DAZN. Organisers expect a possible Joshua–Fury showdown to air on Netflix.
Long-Awaited Joshua vs Fury Fight Edges Closer
Fans have waited more than a decade for a fight between Joshua and Fury.
The two fighters first shared a ring during a sparring session in 2011. At that time, Joshua still competed as an amateur.
Between 2020 and 2021, both men held all four major heavyweight titles. They also agreed to a unification fight, but a court ruling disrupted the plan.
Fury then completed a trilogy with Deontay Wilder. He won the final bout. Joshua later lost his belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021.
Both fighters now enter the final phase of their careers. A Joshua–Fury fight depends on Joshua winning in July.
Joshua Rebuilds After Recent Setbacks
Joshua holds a record of 29 wins and 4 losses, with 26 knockouts.
He suffered a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 during an IBF title fight.
After the loss, he underwent elbow surgery. He also changed his training setup and joined a camp linked to former rival Oleksandr Usyk in Valencia, Spain, under coach Iegor Golub.
Joshua returned in December and stopped Jake Paul in the sixth round.
Shortly after that fight, he faced personal tragedy. A car accident killed his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodel. He survived but suffered injuries and spent time recovering.
Prenga Seeks Career-Defining Win
Kristian Prenga enters the fight with a record of 20 wins and 1 loss, all wins by knockout.
He currently rides a 16-fight winning streak. His only defeat came in 2017 against Giovanni Auriemma.
Prenga fights out of New Jersey and has built his record on regional opposition.
He has also held titles such as the WBA Fedecentro and NABA belts. In his last fight in February, he stopped Joe Jones in the first round.
Fury Looks to Rebuild Momentum
Tyson Fury remains a central figure in the heavyweight division.
He lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, including a fight for undisputed titles.
Fury briefly retired but later returned with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
His next move remains unclear. He may fight again before a potential clash with Joshua.
What Comes Next for Heavyweight Boxing
Attention now turns to July 25.
A win for Joshua keeps the long-discussed Fury showdown alive. A loss could delay or even end the rivalry.
Boxing fans continue to wait for one of the sport’s most anticipated fights after years of delays.
