Anthony Joshua steps back into the spotlight. His comeback fight has been confirmed, but the real intrigue lies in what comes next for the former heavyweight champion. Yankee Scores reports.
Road Back to the Ring
Joshua has not fought since knocking out Jake Paul in Miami last December. That victory was followed by tragedy, as a car crash later that month claimed the lives of two close friends and team members. Since then, Joshua has been training in Spain with Oleksandr Usyk’s camp, rebuilding both physically and mentally.
Joshua’s Next Chapter
Joshua will face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first bout of a two‑fight deal with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. The second fight is expected to be against Tyson Fury later in 2026, a matchup boxing fans have waited nearly a decade to see.
The Opponent
Prenga, a 35‑year‑old Albanian based in New Jersey, enters with a 20‑1 record, all wins by knockout. While his résumé lacks credible names, he insists Joshua made a mistake in choosing him, “Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent. This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his,” Prenga said.
Looking Ahead
Joshua’s focus remains on July, but the looming Fury showdown adds weight to every step of his comeback. For now, the “landlord,” as Joshua calls himself, must first collect against Prenga before the long‑awaited clash with Fury becomes reality.
