Anthony Joshua steps back into the ring tonight in Jeddah, and the stakes could not be higher. A win over Kristian Prenga would finally set up the all-British heavyweight blockbuster with Tyson Fury that fans have been demanding for years.
The fight is Joshua's first since he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round at the end of 2025. It also comes after a tragic car crash that killed two of his close friends, an event that has clearly motivated his return. His opponent, Kristian Prenga, is an Albanian heavyweight with a record of 20 wins and one defeat. All 20 of his victories have come by knockout, and he has not lost since February 2017, currently riding a 16-fight win streak. The bout is being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and forms part of a card that includes several other fights.
“Why Anthony Joshua's comeback fight against Kristian Prenga is crucial for setting up a long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury.”
Joshua's career has been a rollercoaster. After winning Olympic gold in 2012, he became a two-time unified world champion, defeating the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Joseph Parker. But losses to Andy Ruiz Jr., Oleksandr Usyk (twice) and Daniel Dubois dented his aura. The win over Jake Paul, though against a YouTuber-turned-boxer, restored some momentum. Now he needs a convincing victory over Prenga to keep the Fury fight alive.
Tyson Fury, the self-styled “Gypsy King”, has been keeping busy. He recently beat Mariusz Wach in his second fight of the year, fulfilling his side of the bargain for a potential Joshua showdown. Talks between the two camps are ongoing, but neither fighter has signed a contract yet. If Joshua beats Prenga, the expectation is that the all-British clash will be announced for later in the year.
For UK readers, this fight matters because it could be the last chance to see two of British boxing's biggest stars finally meet. Joshua vs Fury has been talked about for years but never made, with Fury’s retirement and Joshua’s losses getting in the way. Now both are active and in the same weight class. A win for Joshua tonight keeps the dream alive; a loss would end it for good.
Q: Who is Kristian Prenga? Kristian Prenga is a little-known Albanian heavyweight boxer with a record of 20 wins and one defeat. All 20 of his wins have come by knockout, and he is on a 16-fight win streak dating back to February 2017. He is seen as a dangerous but unproven opponent at top level.
Q: Why is Anthony Joshua fighting Kristian Prenga? Joshua is using the fight as a tune-up to stay active and set up a blockbuster bout with Tyson Fury. He hasn't fought since beating Jake Paul at the end of 2025 and also recently survived a car crash that killed two of his friends. Joshua wants to honour them by securing victory and moving towards the Fury showdown.
Q: When is the Tyson Fury fight happening? No official date has been set. Talks are ongoing, but if Joshua beats Prenga, a fight later in 2026 is considered likely. Fury has already fought twice this year, including a win over Mariusz Wach, to stay ready.
What happens next is straightforward: Joshua must beat Prenga. If he does, the focus will shift entirely to finalising a date and venue for the fight with Fury. If he loses, the Fury fight is off and both men may look elsewhere. For now, British boxing fans can only watch and hope.
