Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua is stepping back into the ring on Saturday, July 25, taking on the dangerous Albanian knockout artist Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout, headlining a major event streaming live on DAZN PPV, marks an emotional and highly anticipated return for the British star. Joshua is looking to get back into world title contention following a rocky road over the past year.
After a tough knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in late 2024, Joshua bounced back with a win over Jake Paul in December 2025, but was then forced to take time away from the sport following a tragic car accident in Nigeria that left him injured and claimed the lives of two of his closest friends.
Now, under his new promotional nickname “The Landlord,” Joshua is fueled by heavy motivation. Speaking to the media ahead of the fight, he made his intentions clear, stating he wants to prove he is still a “serious wrecking machine” by handling business with power and aggression.
He will need that exact mindset against Prenga. While the 35-year-old Albanian hasn’t faced the same elite level of competition as Joshua, he stands at a towering 6’5″ and possesses undeniable power, bringing a sharp 20-1 record with all 20 of his victories coming by way of knockout. Prenga has also been highly active, winning five fights in the exact timeframe Joshua has fought just once.
The stakes could not be higher for this summer showdown. A signed agreement is already in place for Joshua to fight his long-time British rival, Tyson Fury, later this year.
However, that mega-fight completely relies on both men winning their upcoming bouts this month. If Joshua takes his eye off the ball against Prenga, his dream of becoming a three-time world champion could evaporate in an instant.