Anthony Joshua (29-4, 26 KO) will return to the ring on July 25th in Saudi Arabia against 35-year-old Albanian boxer Christian Prengi (20-1, 20 KO). The announcement was made official by Ring Magazine. Additionally, it has been reported that a fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury is now officially agreed upon and will take place in the fourth quarter of 2026, specifically between October and December. This sets up a highly anticipated heavyweight clash later in the year following Joshua's summer bout.
Anthony Joshua will return to professional boxing on July 25th in Saudi Arabia, taking on Albanian heavyweight Christian Prengi in a bout officially announced by Ring Magazine. The fight serves as a summer warm-up ahead of a confirmed clash with Tyson Fury, which has been agreed upon and is expected to take place between October and December of 2026.
Joshua, 36, stands six-foot-six with an 82-inch reach and represents the United Kingdom. He trains out of Boxing Works and Team GB. The verified data available does not include a current professional record on file, though his reputation as one of the sport's marquee heavyweight names has made him one of the most commercially significant fighters in the division.
His July opponent, Christian Prengi, is 35 years old and comes in with a record of 20-1 with 20 knockouts, meaning virtually all of his professional victories have come by way of stoppage. The Albanian heavyweight brings a near-perfect finishing rate into this contest.
Why it matters
- Joshua's July outing against Prengi acts as a tune-up with high stakes, given the Fury fight looming later in the year.
- A confirmed Joshua-Fury agreement for Q4 2026 ends years of negotiation and sets up one of the most anticipated heavyweight matchups in recent memory.
- Prengi's 20-1 record with 20 knockouts signals genuine punching power, making him a credible test rather than a straightforward assignment for Joshua.
- Joshua's six-foot-six frame and 82-inch reach will present Prengi with significant physical challenges heading into the summer bout.
