Anthony Joshua to Make Ring Return on July 25 in Riyadh Before Potential Fury Clash

Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, facing Kristian Prenga in a comeback fight after a year marked by personal tragedy and professional setbacks, according to Vanguard Nigeria. This bout serves as a warm-up before a highly anticipated superfight with Tyson Fury later this year, with negotiations reportedly concluded (The National, MyJoyOnline).

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that Joshua, 36, has signed a deal to face Fury, scheduling their showdown initially for November in the UK (MyJoyOnline, The National). The scheduled Riyadh matchup against Prenga is part of a multi-fight deal with Saudi Arabia and aims to help Joshua regain form and confidence ahead of the Fury fight (Japan Times, The National).

Joshua’s recent history includes a loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024, a high-profile victory over Jake Paul, and surviving a fatal car crash in December 2023 that resulted in two deaths, making his July return significant both personally and professionally (The National, Vanguard Nigeria). The July 25 fight will be broadcast on DAZN as part of the Esports World Cup event in Riyadh (Vanguard Nigeria).

The Fury-Joshua bout has been heralded as a major moment for British boxing, described as the biggest fight in the country’s history, and is expected to generate global interest given the fighters' legacies (Guardian Sport US, The National). Joshua’s upcoming matches this year will largely determine his future in the heavyweight division and set the stage for a potentially defining chapter in his career.

What remains to be seen is the outcome of Joshua’s fight against Prenga and the finalization of the Fury fight’s exact date and venue, with promoters and broadcasters closely watching Joshua’s physical readiness and market dynamics. This year promises to be pivotal for Joshua and the heavyweight scene as a whole.