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Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has confirmed his return to the ring for a warm-up fight ahead of a long-awaited matchup with Tyson Fury, which is scheduled for July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Joshua announced his warm-up fight on X on Monday, he said, “Back active. July 25th. Live on @DAZN”.
Back active. July 25th. Live on @DAZN 👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/sSxzHY2mNj
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) April 27, 2026
This fight marks Joshua’s first fight since his knockout victory over Jake Paul in December. Shortly after his win, the 36-year-old was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria that killed two close friends and left him with minor injuries.
Joshua has returned to training and has now signed a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season, which includes a clash with Fury at the back end of the year.
Also, Saudi Boxing Chief Turki Alalshikh on Monday said Joshua will fight an unknown Albanian heavyweight, Kristian Prenga, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of an ‘Esports World Cup’ event, live on DAZN.
To my friends in Great Britain – it’s happening 🦁. It’s signed ✍️🥊
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) April 27, 2026
To match up with the big one, Joshua will have to get through Prenga first.
“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-flight deal starting with July 25th 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 said.
