Joshua confirms July 25 ring return after car crash

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, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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.”

Who is Kristian Prenga?

Prenga may not be widely known, but he enters the fight with an impressive professional record of 20 wins and one loss, with all 20 victories coming by knockout.

His only defeat came in 2017 via unanimous decision to Italy’s Giovanni Auriemma. One of the more notable names on his résumé is Joey Dawejko, who was previously linked to sparring sessions with Joshua ahead of his 2019 bout against Andy Ruiz Jr.

The 35-year-old last fought in February, securing a first-round stoppage victory over Joe Jones.

Although Prenga is currently unranked by the four major sanctioning bodies, he briefly held the North American Boxing Association title after defeating Samuel Crossed via third-round stoppage.

Born in Orosh, Albania, Prenga now resides in Edgewater, New Jersey. He is currently ranked among the top active Albanian heavyweights by BoxRec, behind Nelson Hysa.

Standing at 6ft 5in, Prenga is known for his long reach and awkward, mobile style—attributes that could serve as preparation for Joshua ahead of a potential showdown with Fury. He makes effective use of his jab, mixes in uppercuts and bolo punches, and is a capable body puncher.

His straight right hand and left hook to the body have accounted for most of his knockout victories.