Anthony Joshua returns to the ring against Kristian Prenga in a crucial bout ahead of his anticipated fight with Tyson Fury.
New Delhi, India Jul 21, 2026 ALN: Anthony Joshua returns to the ring against Kristian Prenga on Saturday in a warm-up bout for his planned super-fight with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury.
Joshua, 36, last fought in December when he beat Jake Paul with a devastating sixth-round knockout in Miami. This victory was significant not only in terms of Joshua's career trajectory but also as a statement against the rising trend of crossover fighters from different s entering the ring. Joshua's win against Paul was seen as a reaffirmation of his status in the heavyweight division, where he has previously held multiple world titles.
Albania's Prenga, 35, carries knockout power but has never established himself as a world-level contender in the heavyweight division. Despite his lack of high-profile bouts, Prenga has managed to maintain a perfect knockout record, with all 20 of his victories coming by way of knockout. This showcases his ability to deliver a decisive finish, making him a potential threat, albeit an underdog, in the matchup against Joshua.
Will Joshua get the win required to keep alive hopes of the fight with Fury? Or can Prenga pull off a major upset? The stakes are high for Joshua as he looks to secure a victory that would solidify his position for a much-anticipated clash against Fury, which has been a long time coming for fans.
Here is all you need to know about the bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Radio commentary from Jeddah will begin from about 20:30 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC website and app, on Saturday, 25 July. Coverage will be presented from ringside by Jonathan Overend, alongside two-weight world champion Natasha Jonas and expert Steve Bunce. Live text commentary will begin at 20:00 BST on the BBC website and app. This extensive coverage reflects the growing interest in , particularly in high-profile matchups that attract both casual fans and purists alike.
Briton Hamzah Sheeraz makes the first defence of his WBO super-middleweight title against Germany's Simon Zachenhuber in the co-main event. Fellow Briton Josh Kelly also defends his IBF light-middleweight belt against Ireland's Caoimhin Agyarko. We will bring you round-by-round updates for both world title fights and the headline act of Joshua v Prenga. You can also follow the action through fight week on BBC via the 5 Live podcast with daily episodes, highlighting the media's role in promoting and covering events.
Joshua and Prenga are not expected to make their walk to the ring before 23:00 BST. This late start is typical for major events, particularly those staged in different time zones, as promoters aim to maximize viewership across global markets.
Anthony Joshua v Kristian Prenga - heavyweight
Hamzah Sheeraz (c) v Simon Zachenhuber - WBO super-middleweight title
Josh Kelly (c) v Caoimhin Agyarko - IBF light-middleweight world title
Reito Tsutsumi v Alvino Herrera - super-featherweight
Jacob Bank v Pawel August - super-middleweight
Joshua is just shy of three months older than Prenga, but their careers have followed very different paths. After winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, Joshua turned professional the following year and went on to become a two-time heavyweight world champion. His ascent in the has been marked by significant victories and a reputation for knockout power, with 26 of his 29 wins coming via stoppage.
Joshua won each of his first 16 fights inside the distance in a run that culminated in him beating Charles Martin to claim the IBF title. His crowning moment came in 2017 when he stopped Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round at Wembley to unify titles, adding the WBA belt to his collection. Joshua's career has seen its share of ups and downs, including a shocking defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, which he avenged in a rematch to reclaim his titles. However, he faced another setback in consecutive fights against Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022, leading to questions about his future in the .
In contrast, Prenga made his professional debut three years after Joshua and won his first four fights by knockout. The Albanian fell to his first and only loss in his fifth bout but has since gone on a remarkable 16-fight winning streak. Despite this impressive record, Prenga's victories have come against lesser-known opponents, which raises questions about his readiness to compete at the highest level against a fighter of Joshua's caliber. Nevertheless, Prenga does carry a knockout threat, making this matchup intriguing for fans and analysts alike.
There are no belts on the line, but there is a big prize waiting on the other side of the contest for Joshua if he wins. The absence of titles may lead some to downplay the significance of the fight, but for Joshua, it represents a critical step toward securing a high-stakes match against Tyson Fury, which has been a long-anticipated event in the world.
Fury came out of retirement to beat Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, and Joshua was expected to be his next opponent. However, Joshua has not fought since he was involved in a fatal car crash in late December, which has added to the urgency for him to take a warm-up fight with Prenga first. Fury has also agreed to a warm-up bout, fighting 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday. This parallel preparation for both fighters adds an element of intrigue, as fans are eager to see if both can emerge victorious and finally set the stage for their long-awaited clash.
If both Britons come through victorious, they are expected to share a ring later this year. A date or venue has not been announced, though Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has previously suggested it could land in November on streaming giant Netflix. This potential partnership with a major streaming service reflects the changing landscape of s broadcasting, where traditional networks are increasingly competing with digital platforms for exclusive rights to major events.
Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, who is co-ordinating the all-British bout, has indicated that it could take place at Wembley Stadium if local authorities are amenable to staging the event in the early hours of the morning to cater to a global audience. This highlights the logistical complexities involved in organizing international events, particularly when considering time zones and audience engagement. Sources close to London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan have conveyed that such a proposal is "doable," while bosses of Cardiff's Principality Stadium have also expressed readiness to host, showcasing the competitive nature of venues vying for high-profile events.
Wednesday - grand arrivals from 17:00
Thursday – news conference from 18:00
Friday – weigh-in from 19:00
Saturday - fight expected at 23:00
(all times are approximate and in BST)
This fight week schedule is indicative of the promotional efforts that surround major events, with press conferences, weigh-ins, and other activities designed to generate excitement and media coverage leading up to the bout. As Joshua prepares to face Prenga, all eyes will be on the ring to see if he can secure a victory and pave the way for a historic showdown with Tyson Fury, a match that could have significant implications for the heavyweight division and the as a whole.
To learn more about the latest developments in Golf, stay updated with our exclusive reports and analyses on AiLensNews.
