Anthony Joshua’s Comeback: Facing Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia Showdown

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 1: Anthony Joshua during the Launch Press Conference promoting his Heavyweight Contest against Kristian Prenga next month on June 1, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images).

Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images

Anthony Joshua is scheduled to return to the ring in Saudi Arabia, facing Kristian Prenga in a highly anticipated heavyweight contest. This bout serves as a pivotal moment for Joshua’s career trajectory, with implications for future matchups and his standing in the division. The event features a competitive undercard and offers insights into both fighters’ readiness.

Key Details

• Event: Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga, dubbed “The Comeback”
• Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
• Venue: Jeddah Superdome, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Main card start: 1 pm ET / 10 am PT / 6 pm BST

Additional bouts:

Title fight: Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Simon Zachenhuber, 12 rounds, for Sheeraz’s WBO super middleweight title

Title fight: Josh Kelly vs. Caoimhin Agyarko, 12 rounds, for Kelly’s IBF junior middleweight title

Reito Tsutsumi vs. Alvino Herrera Meza, 10 rounds, junior lightweights

• Main event ring walks: approximately 5:45 p.m. ET / 10:45 p.m. BST
• Broadcast: DAZN pay-per-view, $59.99 in the US and £19.99 in the UK (included with DAZN Ultimate Tier)
• Fighter records: Joshua 29-4, 26 KOs · Prenga 20-1, 20 KOs

Event Schedule and Viewing Options

The main card begins at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST), with the main event ring walks expected around 5:45 p.m. ET (10:45 p.m. BST). The timing may adjust slightly depending on the undercard’s progression, which includes thirteen fights featuring prospects yet to compete beyond four rounds.

DAZN will stream the event globally via pay-per-view. US viewers must pay $59.99 in addition to their DAZN subscription, while UK viewers can access it for £19.99. Subscribers to DAZN Ultimate Tier can view the event at no additional cost.

Kristian Prenga’s Profile

Kristian Prenga, an Albanian heavyweight standing 6’5″, enters the bout with a 20-1 record, all wins via knockout. His sole loss came early in his career via points in an eight-round contest. Despite his imposing stature and perfect KO ratio, skepticism surrounds his resume. Analysts highlight his recent opponents’ poor records: Joe Jones (15 losses in 31 fights) and Brandon Carmack (11 losses in 20 fights). This matchup represents a significant leap in competition level, with many doubting Prenga’s ability to last beyond the fifth round.

Anthony Joshua’s Road Ahead

Following his dominant victory over Jake Paul, Joshua faces a legitimate heavyweight contender in Prenga while keeping future plans in focus. A potential blockbuster clash with Tyson Fury looms for late 2026, likely at Wembley Stadium in November. Fury has already made public remarks targeting Joshua, hinting at post-fight confrontations.

Joshua’s path to this comeback was marked by adversity. Ten days after defeating Paul, he survived a fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two team members. The incident adds emotional weight to this return, underscoring his resilience and the stakes of his upcoming performances.

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