British heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua is set to make his return to the boxing ring this Saturday, 25 July, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He will face Albanian opponent Kristian Prenga in what is widely regarded as a pivotal warm-up encounter, with a highly anticipated super-fight against fellow Briton Tyson Fury firmly in his sights.
Joshua, 36, last competed in December 2025, where he delivered a powerful sixth-round knockout victory against Jake Paul in Miami. His opponent, Kristian Prenga, 35, is known for his knockout capabilities, boasting a formidable professional record, although he has yet to establish himself among the elite of the heavyweight division. The boxing world will be watching closely to see if Joshua can secure the win necessary to keep the dream of a clash with Fury alive, or if Prenga can pull off a significant upset.
The action from Jeddah will be extensively covered across BBC platforms. Live radio commentary is scheduled to commence around 20:30 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app this Saturday. Jonathan Overend will lead the ringside coverage, joined by two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas and boxing analyst Steve Bunce. Additionally, live text commentary will begin earlier, at 19:30, on the BBC Sport website and app, providing round-by-round updates for the main event and the two world title fights on the undercard.
The undercard features two significant world title defences involving British fighters. Hamzah Sheeraz will make the first defence of his WBO super-middleweight title against Germany's Simon Zachenhuber. Fellow Briton Josh Kelly will also put his IBF light-middleweight belt on the line against Ireland's Caoimhin Agyarko. Ringwalks for Kelly and Agyarko are estimated for around 20:40 BST, with Sheeraz and Zachenhuber expected around 21:40. The main event, featuring Joshua and Prenga, is not anticipated to start before 23:00 BST, though all timings are subject to change.
Joshua's career has seen him become a two-time heavyweight world champion, following his Olympic gold medal in 2012. His professional record stands at 29 wins, with 26 by knockout, and four defeats. Notable moments include unifying titles against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 and defeating Joseph Parker in 2018. His recent form includes a four-fight winning streak following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, though he suffered a setback in September 2024 with a sixth-round knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois. Prenga, who turned professional three years after Joshua, holds a record of 19 wins (16 by knockout) and one loss, and is currently on a 16-fight winning streak.