Anthony Joshua returns on July 25 in Riyadh against Kristian Prenga, a bout designed to prepare him for what is expected to be a late-2026 showdown with Fury. The fight marks his first appearance since defeating Jake Paul in December, and comes after a difficult period outside the ring following a serious car accident.
The choice of Prenga reflects the approach Joshua’s team has taken - get rounds in, rebuild rhythm, and arrive sharp for the biggest fight of his career. While Prenga brings a knockout-heavy record, the level of opposition he has faced is far removed from world level.
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That decision becomes easier to understand when looking at Joshua’s recent timeline. His last fight against a top-tier opponent ended in a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, and the months since have been about recovery - both physically and mentally. A measured comeback now gives him the platform to reset before stepping into a fight that has defined an era without ever happening.
On the other side, Fury is expected to follow a similar path. After returning with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, his team has indicated that another interim fight could also take place before the two finally meet.
Fight card:
▪️Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga, TBA rounds, heavyweight
