Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he will face Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga. The bout will mark the Briton's comeback after a difficult period, after he was involved in a car accident in December last year that killed two of his close friends.
The fight is part of a multi-fight deal Joshua has signed to fight in Saudi Arabia. The bout is billed as "The Comeback" and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
Kristian Prenga, 35 years old, of Albanian origin and resident in the USA, is a former kickboxer and since 2016 has switched to professional boxing, where he has recorded 20 wins and only one loss.
Promoter Eddie Hearn also confirmed that a deal has been reached for a highly anticipated fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury later this year. He wrote on social media: "Signed, sealed and delivered! AJ vs. Fury is a reality."
According to Hearn, the duel with Preng in July will serve as a preparatory match for Joshua, before the big showdown with Fury that is expected to take place at the end of the year.
Joshua, 36, has a record of 28 wins and 4 losses. His last fight was in December, when he defeated American Jake Paul by knockout in the sixth round in Miami.
On the other hand, Tyson Fury publicly demanded a fight with Joshua after his victory over Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, calling the duel between them the "Battle of Britain" that boxing fans have been waiting for years.
