Anthony Joshua comeback fight confirmed for this summer

Anthony Joshua has announced that he will make his highly anticipated return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, live worldwide on DAZN.

The former two-time heavyweight champion will headline “The Comeback” as he faces knockout artist Kristian Prenga in a heavyweight showdown.

Joshua hasn’t fought since knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their clash in December 2025.

Later that month, Joshua was involved in a car accident that killed two of his closest friends. This will be his first outing since that tragic incident.

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Joshua destroys Jake Paul

Watch: Joshua vs Paul highlights

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Prenga boasts a record 20-1, with all of his wins coming by stoppage, and the 35-year-old from Albania brings serious power to the table as he bids to cause a huge upset.

Joshua said: “It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back in to 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.”

Joshua's return will be live and exclusive on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier, a subscription package that includes PPV events, meaning no additional one-off fees to pay per PPV event.

Joshua’s return is good for boxing

DAZN News correspondent Chris Oliver

First and foremost, it’s great to have him back.

There were serious doubts about whether Joshua would ever box again following the car crash in Nigeria that resulted in the death of two of his best friends.

His career was very much on the backburner as he recovered from that accident, both mentally and physically, and boxing was rightly the last thing on his mind.

However, there have been plenty of talk about him returning in recent weeks and he was ringside for Tyson Fury’s unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this month.

We are told that the long-awaited showdown between Joshua and Fury is very close to being signed for later in the year and he needs to return with a victory for that fight to take place.

With so much on the line and Prenga boasting fight-ending power in his fists, Joshua can’t afford to take his eye off the ball for his comeback in Riyadh this summer.

If he does, then the blockbuster with Fury would go up in smoke, along with the prospect of a huge payday for the former Olympic champion.

Benavidez vs. Zurdo on DAZN PPV

Watch David Benavidez versus Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez on DAZN PPV on Saturday, May 2. Buy as a one-off PPV or get it included with the DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which also includes the Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), Usyk vs. Verhoeven (May 23), Fury vs. Hall (June 13) and Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPVs without any extra one-off costs.

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