Anthony Joshua next fight: July 25 ‘comeback’ set for Riyadh

British boxer Anthony Joshua celebrates after defeating US boxer and influencer Jake Paul (off frame) in a nontitle heavyweight bout at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Anthony Joshua might fight Tyson Fury this year, but it won’t be next. The 36-year-old Joshua (29-4, 26 KO) will return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, facing Albanian-American club fighter Kristian Prenga .

THE COMEBACK 👊 @anthonyjoshua fights Kristian Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) on July 25 in Riyadh! Locked in for a huge 2026 👀 #JoshuaPrenga live on @DAZNBoxing pic. twitter.

com/SGOENuAflb — Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 27, 2026 The idea is clearly for Joshua to shake any rust he may feel in what should frankly be a short night, but it will get a full training camp in for the former heavyweight titleholder, which is probably the more important thing. Joshua did fight in December , knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round, but took time away from boxing after that following a tragic accident that killed two of his friends and team members not long after the bout. Fury just returned on April 11 with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov , and has called for the Joshua fight, which seems like it will happen, but it’s seemed that way before.

Prenga (20-1, 20 KO) is not a threat on paper, not even near the way Andy Ruiz was back in 2019, a loss that also derailed supposed Fury vs AJ plans. Prenga started his career 10 years ago, fighting in Germany, then took his career to Canada, and has fought in the States now for years, low-level bouts against the likes of Joey Dawejko and Willie Jake Jr, for two kinda-familiar names. He’s scored a lot of early knockout wins, but the competition has been very limited.