Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to return to professional boxing on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he will face Albania’s Kristian Prenga in a comeback fight billed as a stepping stone toward a potential major title clash later in the year.
The bout marks Joshua’s first competitive appearance since a tragic car accident in December 2025 that left him injured and claimed the lives of two close associates.
The accident occurred along the Lagos–Sagamu Expressway near the Sinoma area in Ogun State, when an SUV carrying Joshua’s entourage reportedly collided with a stationary truck. Two of his companions, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, died at the scene.
Joshua, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, has since been recovering and gradually returning to full training.
Before the accident, the British-Nigerian fighter had competed in a widely publicised exhibition bout against Jake Paul, securing a sixth-round knockout victory just days prior.
Promoters have described the upcoming fight against Prenga as a tune-up contest, designed to prepare Joshua for a potential blockbuster heavyweight showdown with long-time rival Tyson Fury.
Talks of an all-British heavyweight clash between Joshua and Fury have circulated for years, with renewed negotiations reportedly underway between both camps as interest in the matchup continues to grow.
Joshua’s return in Riyadh is expected to attract global attention, particularly as speculation intensifies over whether the long-awaited Fury fight could finally be realised later this year.
