Joshua signs to fight Fury; Riyadh warm-up bout on July 25
Joshua signs to fight Fury; Riyadh warm-up bout on July 25
Anthony Joshua returns to boxing with a Riyadh warm-up against Kristian Prenga on July 25, ahead of a potential Fury showdown.
The heavyweight saga fans have waited nearly a decade to see is inching closer to reality as Anthony Joshua signs to fight Tyson Fury. Joshua will first return to the ring in a warm-up bout against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on 25 July, a move many see as the necessary stepping stone before the big one.
Prenga is largely unknown to casual fans, but his knockout record makes the fight a proper test without derailing what comes next. The interim bout is explained as time back in the ring after a challenging spell, including a high-profile loss and a controversial phase that followed. The last time Joshua beat a recognised, established boxer was Otto Wallin back in 2023, underscoring the long road back to the top tier.
If the Fury bout lands in the UK, Wembley or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium feel like the obvious options, but a November date could bring questions about weather and practicality. The finer details will start to fall into place in the coming weeks.
Beyond the ring, Joshua has faced a devastating car crash in Nigeria and the loss of two brothers, which adds a human layer to the return as he works to regain the mindset required for a big-name clash.
