Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is set to face off against relatively unknown boxer Kristian Prenga on July 25, paving the way for an anticipated showdown with his long-standing rival Tyson Fury.
Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight titleholder, has been out of action since his dominating victory over Jake Paul in December. Initially slated to return in March, Joshua was involved in a tragic car accident in Nigeria shortly after his triumph over Paul, resulting in the loss of his close friends Kevin Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Following a period of recovery from the harrowing incident, the 36-year-old fighter has been spotted training with his former rival-turned-friend Oleksandr Usyk in Valencia. Recently making appearances at boxing events, Joshua showed support for Derek Chisora and witnessed Tyson Fury’s victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov. Fury wasted no time in calling for a match against Joshua, who initially declined.
However, Joshua has now reached an agreement to face Fury in November, contingent on his success against Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this summer, with the bout to be broadcast on DAZN. Joshua expressed his readiness for the upcoming challenges, stating, “I’m delighted to have agreed to compete in Saudi Arabia and am eager to resume my boxing journey.”
Prenga, an Albanian heavyweight with an impressive record of 20 knockout wins and only one defeat, is confident in his abilities against Joshua. He remarked, “This fight will be a game-changer for both of us. I am prepared to shock the world in Saudi Arabia this July.”
The highly anticipated match between Joshua and Fury promises to be a significant event in the boxing world, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome.