Table of Contents
The Anthony Joshua return fight is officially on and the countdown has begun. After months of silence, heartbreak, and quiet rebuilding, the Watford-born heavyweight powerhouse is set to lace up his gloves once again on July 25, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. And this time, it is not just a comeback it is the opening move in what could be the biggest chapter of his entire career.
Saudi Boxing Chief Turki Alalshikh made the official announcement on Monday, confirming Joshua will face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga as part of the highly anticipated Esports World Cup event. The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN and for boxing fans worldwide, it signals the beginning of something very big indeed.
1. Anthony Joshua Return Fight — What We Know So Far
The Anthony Joshua return fight announcement came via Saudi Boxing Chief Turki Alalshikh, who confirmed the bout on his official social media account. Joshua has signed a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season a deal that includes this warm-up outing against Prenga and, crucially, a headline clash with Tyson Fury later in the year.
Here is a full breakdown of what has been confirmed:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fighter | Anthony Joshua |
| Opponent | Kristian Prenga |
| Date | July 25, 2025 |
| Location | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Event | Esports World Cup |
| Broadcast | DAZN (Live) |
| Deal | Two-fight deal with Riyadh Season |
| Next Fight | Tyson Fury — later in 2025 |
This will be Joshua’s first outing since his knockout victory over Jake Paul in December a result that re-energised his fanbase and reignited talk of a blockbuster Fury showdown.
2. Who Is Kristian Prenga? A Look at AJ’s Next Opponent
The name Kristian Prenga is unlikely to ring a bell for most casual boxing fans and that is precisely the point. This is a warm-up fight, not a world title defence. Prenga is an Albanian heavyweight who remains largely unknown on the international boxing circuit, making this matchup a calculated step designed to sharpen Joshua’s ring rust rather than test his limits.
While Prenga’s professional record and full credentials are still being widely examined by analysts, what is clear is that this fight is about Joshua — his timing, his movement, his sharpness not about the opponent across the ring from him.
Think of it this way: before a marathon runner attempts a record-breaking race, they do a controlled training run. That is exactly what July 25 represents for Anthony Joshua. The real race the Fury fight is waiting just around the corner.
3. The Tragic Nigeria Incident That Delayed Joshua’s Return
Beyond the boxing storyline, Joshua’s path back to the ring has been shadowed by genuine personal tragedy. Shortly after his knockout win over Jake Paul in December, the former unified heavyweight champion was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria.
The incident was devastating. Two of Joshua’s close friends lost their lives in the crash. AJ himself escaped with minor injuries but the emotional and psychological toll of losing people close to him in such sudden and violent circumstances is something no record or title can prepare a person for.
The accident cast a long shadow over what should have been a triumphant period for Joshua. It explained, at least in part, why his return to action took longer than many in the boxing world anticipated. For those who questioned his absence or motivation, the Nigeria tragedy provides important and sobering context.
Joshua has since returned to training in earnest and by all accounts, the time away has given him not just physical recovery but renewed mental clarity and purpose. You can follow his training updates and official announcements on his official Instagram and through DAZN’s boxing coverage.
4. The Tyson Fury Fight — Is It Finally Happening?
The Joshua vs Fury fight has been one of boxing’s most talked-about, most delayed, and most anticipated matchups of the last five years. Fans have been teased with near-misses, collapsed negotiations, and countlessly rescheduled timelines. But this time, the signs are more concrete than ever before.
Turki Alalshikh, the man with the Saudi money and the power to make these mega-fights happen has personally confirmed that the Fury fight is signed. His social media message to British fans was short, sharp, and loaded with confidence:
“To my friends in Great Britain – it’s happening. It’s signed.”
For Joshua to get to Fury, he must first get through Prenga cleanly and convincingly on July 25. A dominant performance will build momentum, silence doubters, and set the stage for a heavyweight collision that the entire boxing world has been desperate to see.
The stakes have never been higher. Both fighters are on the back nine of their elite careers. There will be no more delays, no more excuses just two heavyweight giants, finally sharing a ring.
5. In His Own Words — What Joshua Said About His Comeback
Joshua himself addressed the announcement with characteristic self-awareness and quiet determination. He acknowledged openly that his time away from the ring was a necessary period of rebuilding both physically and mentally.
He spoke of being ready to step back in, picking up where he left off, and fulfilling what he described as inevitable. His now-famous phrase “the landlord will collect his rent” landed as a pointed message to both Prenga and the Fury camp: he is coming, and he intends to collect.
The language Joshua used was measured but loaded with intent. This is not a man returning out of financial necessity or desperation. This is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion who believes his best days are still ahead of him and who is building methodically toward the biggest fight of his life.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
When is Anthony Joshua’s next fight?
Anthony Joshua’s return fight is confirmed for July 25, 2025, against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Who is Anthony Joshua fighting on July 25?
Joshua will face Kristian Prenga, an Albanian heavyweight, as a warm-up fight before his highly anticipated bout with Tyson Fury later in the year.
Is the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight really happening?
Yes. Saudi Boxing Chief Turki Alalshikh has confirmed that the Fury fight is signed as part of a two-fight deal Joshua has agreed with Riyadh Season. The Fury clash is expected to take place later in 2025.
Why did Anthony Joshua take so long to return to boxing?
Joshua was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria shortly after his December knockout win over Jake Paul. The accident claimed the lives of two of his close friends and left him with minor injuries. His recovery both physical and emotional contributed to the extended break from the sport.
Where can I watch the Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga fight?
The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN as part of the Esports World Cup event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25, 2025.
Conclusion
The Anthony Joshua return fight is more than a boxing event it is a story of resilience, grief, redemption, and ambition all wrapped into one. From the highs of knocking out Jake Paul to the heartbreak of losing friends in Nigeria, Joshua’s journey back to the ring has been anything but straightforward.
But on July 25, under the Riyadh lights, all of that gets channelled into one purpose: getting past Prenga, staying sharp, and keeping his appointment with destiny, a fight with Tyson Fury that the world has waited far too long to see.
The landlord is back. And rent collection is coming.
📌 Want more boxing news and sports updates? Read our latest sports stories and fight previews here.t
