Anthony Joshua returns to Riyadh this July for his comeback fight
Big fights, bright lights, and a heavyweight return with something to prove
Boxing fans, mark your calendars. On Saturday July 25, Anthony Joshua steps back into the ring in Riyadh, headlining The Comeback – a title that feels more than fitting.
After time away and a reset, this isn’t just another fight night. It’s a return in every sense of the word.
The announcement, shared by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, on X, set things in motion without giving too much away… just a date, a matchup, and the promise of something big.
But he won’t be facing Tyson Fury, not yet…
Get ready for the return of Anthony Joshua to the ring against Kristian Prenga at The Comeback 🥊🔥
as part of Esports World Cup🗓️ July 25
📺 Broadcast live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/1jEZBKM1zz— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) April 27, 2026
The Olympic gold medallist and former two-time unified heavyweight world champion will face Kristian Prenga in the main event.
Joshua enters the bout with a professional record of 28 wins and four losses, including 25 victories by knockout, with his most recent win coming by knockout against Jake Paul in December 2015.
His opponent, Prenga, is no household name, though. Far from it.
The 35-year-old Albanian boasts a perfect knockout record (20 wins, 20 knockouts) and just one defeat in his professional career, and a reputation for heavy hands, but he has operated largely outside the sport’s elite circles.
If Joshua brings experience and pedigree, Prenga brings danger. The pressure keeps things interesting, and the setting only adds to the atmosphere.
Saudi Arabia has quickly established itself as a destination for major sporting events, and The Comeback, as part of the Esports World Cup, fits right into that bigger picture.
The tournament itself has grown into a global gaming spectacle, drawing elite players and huge audiences, placing this fight right at the intersection of sport and entertainment.
Details around the venue and ticketing are still under wraps for now, but the fight will be broadcast live on DAZN. So, watch this space for more updates.
Whether The Comeback becomes a triumphant return or something more complicated will depend on what happens when the bell rings.
Either way, all eyes will be on Riyadh… (and Joshua).
