British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua says he is ready to pick up his career from where he left off following confirmation of his July 25 ring return—his first fight since being involved in a fatal accident that claimed the lives of two of his friends in Nigeria last December.
Joshua is set to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of an Esports World Cup event. The bout is expected to serve as a tune-up ahead of a long-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury later in the year.
The fight will be Joshua’s first outing since his victory over Otto Wallin (corrected from earlier inconsistency), following a period of personal and professional uncertainty after the December 2025 accident, which claimed the lives of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Joshua sustained only minor injuries.
Speculation had emerged that the former heavyweight champion might step away from boxing, but he dismissed those claims by returning to training and signing a two-fight deal under the Riyadh Season banner, which includes the proposed bout with Fury.
Following confirmation of the Prenga fight by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh on Monday, Joshua expressed his readiness to resume his career. “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,” Joshua said.
“I’m delighted to have agreed a multi-fight deal starting with July 25 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off.
As I said, the landlord will collect his rent. That is certain.” Prenga, however, has issued a strong warning ahead of the bout.
“Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent,” Prenga said.
“This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his.
I know they have big plans ahead after this fight, and I believe they are overlooking me. I’m happy about that.
I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia.”