Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring on July 25 with a bout against Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, marking his first fight since a tragic car accident last December.
The contest, scheduled to take place in Riyadh, has been branded “The Comeback” and was announced by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. The fight will be broadcast globally on DAZN.
Joshua, 36, boasts a professional record of 28 wins and four losses. His last outing was a sixth-round knockout victory over American social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December in Miami.
His opponent, Prenga, 35, is a former kickboxer who turned professional in 2016 and has compiled a record of 20 wins and one defeat.
Speaking ahead of the bout, Joshua said he had taken time to regroup and rebuild following recent personal challenges.
“It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring, and today is the next step on that journey,” he said.
The British boxer also confirmed signing a multi-fight deal, with the Riyadh showdown marking the beginning of his latest campaign.
“I’m delighted to have agreed a multi-fight deal starting with July 25 in Saudi Arabia. I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off,” Joshua added.
The upcoming fight is expected to draw global attention as Joshua seeks to reassert himself among the top contenders in the heavyweight division.
