Former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has announced his first fight in 2026 – his opponent will be Albanian Cristian Prenga.
Joshua last boxed in December, knocking out American Jake Paul. The same month, the Briton was involved in a fatal car accident that killed two of his trainers, leading to speculation that Joshua could retire from boxing after the incident.
Joshua's next fight will take place on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Briton will face 35-year-old Albanian boxer Cristian Prengai in the ring.
Prenga has been boxing professionally since 2016, having suffered only one defeat in 21 fights since then – in February 2017, he lost to Dutchman Giovanni Auriemma by unanimous decision.
Prenga won the remaining 20 fights by knockout. His streak includes 16 fights, including one that the Albanian fought this year – in February, he knocked out American Joe Jones in the first of eight rounds.
Since the beginning of the year, Joshua has been challenged to a fight by two former heavyweight world champions, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. In particular, Joshua met Fury in person during his fight in London against Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Since his last fight, Joshua also visited Ukraine in March with reigning world champion Oleksandr Usyk, where Joshua trained for his return to the ring last year.