After months of anticipation, Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring has finally been announced as he takes on Kristian Prenga before clashing with Tyson Fury
Anthony Joshua’s next fight has been confirmed(Image: Getty Images)
Anthony Joshua will take on unknown Kristian Prenga on July 25 before finally trading leather with long-time rival Tyson Fury.
The former two-time heavyweight champion has not fought since brutally dismantling YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul back in December. Joshua had been expected to return to action in March, but was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria – which resulted in the deaths of close friends Kevin Ayodele and Sina Ghami – just days after his win over Paul.
After taking some time away to recover from such a traumatic near-death experience, the 36-year-old has recently been seen training with ex-rival-turned-friend Oleksandr Usyk over in Valencia. The Brit made his first UK appearance since the crash earlier this month, supporting good friend Derek Chisora in his fight with Deontay Wilder. Just days later, he was also ringside to watch Tyson Fury cruise to victory against Arslanbek Makhmudov. The ‘Gypsy King’ then called for a quick turnaround showdown with Joshua – with the latter going on to refuse.
FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
READ MORE: Ricky Hatton’s son says world was heartbroken by boxing champion’s death but ‘he’s just my dad to me’READ MORE: Tyson and Paris Fury have different reasons for giving four sons the same name
But Joshua has now agreed terms to fight Fury in November – as long as he beats Prenga in Riyhad, Saudi Arabia this summer in a fight to be shown on DAZN. Joshua said: “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.
“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.”
Albanian heavyweight Prenga has won 20 of his fights by knockout and has only one defeat to his name. The 35-year-old said: “Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent.
“This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his. I know they have big plans ahead after this fight. I know they are overlooking me. I’m happy about that. I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia.”
