Anthony Joshua is set to make his return to the boxing ring against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25th, a bout his promoter Eddie Hearn describes as the ‘ultimate comeback’ and a significant ‘risk’ following a tumultuous six months. This fight serves as a crucial stepping stone towards a highly anticipated showdown with fellow Briton Tyson Fury later this year.
A Comeback from the Brink
Joshua’s last public appearance in the ring was a victory over Jake Paul in December. However, his personal life has been profoundly impacted since then. He was involved in a car crash in Nigeria, an incident that tragically claimed the lives of two members of his team.
This event led Joshua to take a period of reflection and recovery. “I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring,” Joshua stated, referring to his upcoming challenge against Prenga, an Albanian fighter with an impressive record of 20 wins, all by knockout, and only one loss.
Hearn emphasized the profound nature of this comeback. “We also know the risk of this is everything that he’s coming back from,” he told BBC Sport. “They’re calling this a comeback. People might think that’s quite strange because it’s only six months after he last fought, but it’s actually the ultimate comeback.”
The promoter elaborated on the depth of Joshua’s challenges. “It’s the comeback from the deepest of lows. Not just mentally and emotionally but physically as well. The injuries that he sustained in that crash, a lot of people would never fight again, and I think the strength that he has shown is quite incredible.”
High Stakes for the Fury Showdown
The upcoming bout against Prenga is not just about returning to form; it directly impacts the potential mega-fight with Tyson Fury. Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, has made it clear that the Fury-Joshua clash is contingent on Joshua securing a victory against Prenga.
“There is a lot of pressure going into this fight, but there’s also a lot of questions to be answered,” Hearn acknowledged. He highlighted the need for Joshua to prove his readiness physically and mentally. “We want the best Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury. We don’t want a guy that, ‘maybe he should’ve had a warm-up fight – he wasn’t quite ready’. We want to be 100% ready for that fight and, if he is, he’ll beat him, and he’ll knock him out.”
Joshua’s recent fight history includes a loss to Daniel Dubois before his win against Paul, and his last victory against a recognized opponent was against Otto Wallin in December 2023. This makes the Prenga fight a critical test of his current capabilities.
Hearn unequivocally stated the consequence of a loss: “100%, I think there is no doubt about that,” he said when asked if the Fury fight would be off if Joshua lost to Prenga. “There’s no doubt, and that’s the risk that we take.”
Assessing the Risk and Reward
The promoter explained the strategic necessity of this fight. “Even before the incident in Nigeria, we were always having this fight. Now that he has been through that, we probably need this fight even more, if I’m honest.” He acknowledged the inherent danger, particularly against an opponent like Prenga, who boasts a near-perfect knockout record and has little to lose.
“We know it’s dangerous, but if you can’t beat that guy, then you don’t really deserve to be in a ring with Tyson Fury,” Hearn asserted, adding that Joshua understands this assessment. The focus, he stressed, is not on financial security but on ensuring Joshua is in peak condition to challenge Fury.
“It’s not about trying to protect money here – ‘Oh, we don’t want to take that fight because if we get beat, we won’t get paid the money’. We have to look good in that fight because we want to beat Tyson Fury. We’ve got no interest in just turning up and taking the money.”
Personal Motivation and the Road Ahead
Adding a unique dimension to Joshua’s preparation, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who has defeated both Joshua and Fury, has been training with Joshua to help him devise a strategy for facing Fury.
Hearn described the potential Fury-Joshua bout as deeply personal for Joshua. “This is personal between them. It’s the only personal fight AJ, I think, has ever had, probably since Dillian Whyte. He is desperate to win. Forget the money. We just want to make sure that he’s ready to win.”
Amidst discussions about the event’s spectacle, Hearn dismissed speculation regarding pop star Dua Lipa’s potential involvement, emphasizing that the fight’s progression is unaffected. “I don’t care. I don’t want anyone. I just want those two to get in the ring – that’s what I want.” He expressed his preference for the raw drama of the boxing match itself over any external entertainment.
Looking Forward
The fight against Prenga is more than a warm-up; it’s a vital proving ground that will determine Joshua’s readiness and eligibility for the monumental clash with Tyson Fury. The boxing world will be watching closely to see if Joshua can indeed make the ‘ultimate comeback’ and overcome not only his opponent but also the profound personal challenges he has faced, paving the way for what could be the biggest fight in British boxing history.
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