Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga | DAZN - 25 July 2026

[SeanBrennan]

Joshua - Prenga
Fury - Makhmudov
Kabayel - Knyba
Usyk - Verhoeven
Hrgovic - Allen
Itauma - Franklin

Not the most competitive start to the year for most of the top names at the moment.

Just you wait til Fisher fights Mr Bean you’ll be eating your words then.

[keithmoonhangover]

This fight is just to see how AJ copes with fighting again. Is he mentally ready when the first and last bells ring. No more, no less.

[joshj909]

This fight is just to see how AJ copes with fighting again. Is he mentally ready when the first and last bells ring. No more, no less.

I get that. I would have thought he would need another fight against someone who can actually box after it. The past 2 years have been a weird one for him. Ngannou, Dubois, Paul and then his crash. To then fight someone who is basically a scrub before waiting 5 months before fighting Fury just doesn't seem the best preparation. This fight could've been in May or June or against someone who can somewhat mimic Fury's style or characteristics.

[gregregegg]

I’m not as disappointed as most here… while I would have preferred a less flashy record and more confirmed toughness…. Prenga can not be a bum. Bums don’t stop dweko in 5….

AJs last real win vs a real heavyweight boxers 2.5 years ago. Since then he has been sparked out by ddd and had a car crash that his friends died in.

This as a fight mid Win streak would be poor, but given the situation.

It’s probably better than shell of Whyte, wilder or chisora which is what I would have been targeting…

[keithmoonhangover]

This fight is just to see how AJ copes with fighting again. Is he mentally ready when the first and last bells ring. No more, no less.

I get that. I would have thought he would need another fight against someone who can actually box after it. The past 2 years have been a weird one for him. Ngannou, Dubois, Paul and then his crash. To then fight someone who is basically a scrub before waiting 5 months before fighting Fury just doesn't seem the best preparation. This fight could've been in May or June or against someone who can somewhat mimic Fury's style or characteristics.

After what AJ's been through, I think he's earned the right to decide who his tune up is..

[margaret thatcher]

dawjeko quit with injury vs prenga

a totally unmotivated, 2024 dawjeko quit job as the biggest win for a guy? eh, not impressed

[margaret thatcher]

This fight is just to see how AJ copes with fighting again. Is he mentally ready when the first and last bells ring. No more, no less.

I get that. I would have thought he would need another fight against someone who can actually box after it. The past 2 years have been a weird one for him. Ngannou, Dubois, Paul and then his crash. To then fight someone who is basically a scrub before waiting 5 months before fighting Fury just doesn't seem the best preparation. This fight could've been in May or June or against someone who can somewhat mimic Fury's style or characteristics.

After what AJ's been through, I think he's earned the right to decide who his tune up's for.

he can decide, and people can think it's sheeyat

[margaret thatcher]

heres the actual dawjeko fights, watch this and tell me its impressive he stopped dawjeko. he was tentative and nervous even vs joey

[keithmoonhangover]

I get that. I would have thought he would need another fight against someone who can actually box after it. The past 2 years have been a weird one for him. Ngannou, Dubois, Paul and then his crash. To then fight someone who is basically a scrub before waiting 5 months before fighting Fury just doesn't seem the best preparation. This fight could've been in May or June or against someone who can somewhat mimic Fury's style or characteristics.

After what AJ's been through, I think he's earned the right to decide who his tune up's for.

he can decide, and people can think it's sheeyat

It's just like Holyfield fighting Bobby Czyz. The fans didn't want it, but it was necessary.

[BigEars]

THE COMEBACK

ANNOUNCED: Anthony Joshua will return to the ring against Kristian Prenga on July 25th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of Esports World Cup

#JoshuaPrenga | July 25th | Exclusively on DAZN

Well at least they're not bigging it up too much on the poster, 3 stars is probably fair......

[joshj909]

This fight is just to see how AJ copes with fighting again. Is he mentally ready when the first and last bells ring. No more, no less.

I get that. I would have thought he would need another fight against someone who can actually box after it. The past 2 years have been a weird one for him. Ngannou, Dubois, Paul and then his crash. To then fight someone who is basically a scrub before waiting 5 months before fighting Fury just doesn't seem the best preparation. This fight could've been in May or June or against someone who can somewhat mimic Fury's style or characteristics.

After what AJ's been through, I think he's earned the right to decide who his tune up is..

For me it's not about the quality of this tune up, it's that I don't think this tune up does enough for him to get him prepared for a fight against Fury.

[keithmoonhangover]

I get that. I would have thought he would need another fight against someone who can actually box after it. The past 2 years have been a weird one for him. Ngannou, Dubois, Paul and then his crash. To then fight someone who is basically a scrub before waiting 5 months before fighting Fury just doesn't seem the best preparation. This fight could've been in May or June or against someone who can somewhat mimic Fury's style or characteristics.

After what AJ's been through, I think he's earned the right to decide who his tune up is..

For me it's not about the quality of this tune up, it's that I don't think this tune up does enough for him to get him prepared for a fight against Fury.

I hear you, but other than picking someone taller, I'm not sure how you replicate a 6′ 9″ switch hitter.

[joshj909]

After what AJ's been through, I think he's earned the right to decide who his tune up is..

For me it's not about the quality of this tune up, it's that I don't think this tune up does enough for him to get him prepared for a fight against Fury.

I hear you, but other than picking someone taller, I'm not sure how you replicate a 6′ 9″ switch hitter.

6'7 but still, someone taller is closer to Fury than Prenga. Hughie provides a degree of similarity in terms of style. There are others which would take him more rounds. There are even others that would get him more money. Other than being a heavyweight, Prenga doesn't offer much else.

[Frostieballs]

I’m not as disappointed as most here… while I would have preferred a less flashy record and more confirmed toughness…. Prenga can not be a bum. Bums don’t stop dweko in 5….

AJs last real win vs a real heavyweight boxers 2.5 years ago. Since then he has been sparked out by ddd and had a car crash that his friends died in.

This as a fight mid Win streak would be poor, but given the situation.

It’s probably better than shell of Whyte, wilder or chisora which is what I would have been targeting…

Chisora/Wilder would be harder fights.

[bmw hector]

I’m not as disappointed as most here… while I would have preferred a less flashy record and more confirmed toughness…. Prenga can not be a bum. Bums don’t stop dweko in 5….

AJs last real win vs a real heavyweight boxers 2.5 years ago. Since then he has been sparked out by ddd and had a car crash that his friends died in.

This as a fight mid Win streak would be poor, but given the situation.

It’s probably better than shell of Whyte, wilder or chisora which is what I would have been targeting…

Unfortunately, the Dawejko win wasn't as spectacular as it sounds. It was stopped due to a thigh injury.

25min mark.

[Kilburn]

To me, Prenga is perfectly acceptable for this. He might even start to work his way into the fight depending on how tentative AJ is.

[margaret thatcher]

he barely showed any initiative and was boxing nervous vs joey dawjeko, i think he'll be spooked silly vs aj. i dont know where some of the generous interpretations are coming from, just look at his record and watch him fight. aj's last two fights are his worst since his 2nd year pro.

nelson hysa vs prenga is more like the fight prenga should be in, battle of the totally padded record albanians. surprised they didnt even find aj a guy with an unbeaten record if they were going down the easy crush route.

tbh much worse than i was expecting, even with low expectations. i guess aj's team is very nervous about him right now. i understand the matchmaking but that doesnt mean its not a crappy huge mismatch vs an opponent totally undeserving of a big fight

[gilgamesh]

I get that. I would have thought he would need another fight against someone who can actually box after it. The past 2 years have been a weird one for him. Ngannou, Dubois, Paul and then his crash. To then fight someone who is basically a scrub before waiting 5 months before fighting Fury just doesn't seem the best preparation. This fight could've been in May or June or against someone who can somewhat mimic Fury's style or characteristics.

After what AJ's been through, I think he's earned the right to decide who his tune up is..

For me it's not about the quality of this tune up, it's that I don't think this tune up does enough for him to get him prepared for a fight against Fury.

Does it keep him from losing? That's prepared enough I'd say

[Kilburn]

Bottom line is, AJ apparently has to have a fight before Fury, and cannot possibly lose it. The last time Joshua was in an actual fight, he got himself annihilated.

Prenga has obvious limitations but he’s an opponent with no stoppage defeats and all wins by stoppage (one way or another), which is surely about as good as anyone seriously expected.

It could have been worse.

[margaret thatcher]

Bottom line is, AJ apparently has to have a fight before Fury, and cannot possibly lose it. The last time Joshua was in an actual fight, he got himself annihilated.

Prenga has obvious limitations but he’s an opponent with no stoppage defeats and all wins by stoppage (one way or another), which is surely about as good as anyone seriously expected.

It could have been worse.

anyone worse than prenga would just be a straight up troll by the matchmakers

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fellow British heavyweight Dave Allen believes Joshua has made a poor choice of comeback opponent. "If I’m being honest, I expected better. And I think they could have got someone equally as bad as this fella, who is more of a name really. I don’t understand why they picked this fella. I don’t get it," he said on his YouTube channel.

"I think I’ve seen Prenga fight before, I think I’ve mentioned asking to box him. He’s big, he’s stiff, he’s strong, he’s powerful, but he’s not very good; he’s not on this level. We’re talking Anthony Joshua level, he’s not very good, so I’m disappointed.

"They could’ve given someone else the chance, someone we’ve heard of, someone we knew. No one is going to care about this but Anthony Joshua. He has been out a long time. The Jake Paul stuff, I wouldn’t count that as a fight and the one before that, the Dubois fight, was a stoppage loss, so he deserves one, he needs one, but it could be someone we knew, a bit of a name."

[JC]

Fellow British heavyweight Dave Allen believes Joshua has made a poor choice of comeback opponent. "If I’m being honest, I expected better. And I think they could have got someone equally as bad as this fella, who is more of a name really. I don’t understand why they picked this fella. I don’t get it," he said on his YouTube channel.

"I think I’ve seen Prenga fight before, I think I’ve mentioned asking to box him. He’s big, he’s stiff, he’s strong, he’s powerful, but he’s not very good; he’s not on this level. We’re talking Anthony Joshua level, he’s not very good, so I’m disappointed.

"They could’ve given someone else the chance, someone we’ve heard of, someone we knew. No one is going to care about this but Anthony Joshua. He has been out a long time. The Jake Paul stuff, I wouldn’t count that as a fight and the one before that, the Dubois fight, was a stoppage loss, so he deserves one, he needs one, but it could be someone we knew, a bit of a name."

Not sure why they need a name though. It's not as if it's going to make the Fury fight any bigger.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eddie Hearn Gives Honest Take On Anthony Joshua's Comeback Opponent Kristian Prenga

Eddie Hearn has spoken on Kristian Prenga, who will welcome Anthony Joshua back to the ring on July 25.

Anthony Joshua will make his return to the ring on July 25, when he takes on Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua last competed in December against Jake Paul. However, the meeting with Albanian fighter Prenga will be his first against a traditional heavyweight since 2024, when 'AJ' was beaten by Daniel Dubois.

Prenga goes into the bout with a 20-1 record, with all of his wins coming by way of knockout. However, a meeting with Joshua will be a huge step up in competition, which Eddie Hearn has recognized.

Eddie Hearn on Kristian Prenga: "We should be beating people like that"

In a recent interview with Fight Hype, Hearn was asked his opinion on the return of Joshua to the ring.

The Matchroom Boxing promoter said that there was always going to be an 'interim' fight for Joshua before facing Tyson Fury. However, as the former unified heavyweight champion was involved in a devastating car crash in Nigeria after the Paul bout, he needed more time to return to the ring.

Speaking on Prenga, Hearn said, "You've got to fight someone; everybody is dangerous. You're going to get criticized about the opponent, whoever you choose. That's just the laws of boxing."

"He's boxed at a lower level than AJ. I'm sure he can punch, a lot of people can. When we looked at the record, there were a few people where we said, 'Do we want to fight a puncher?'... But we should be beating people like that."

Hearn said that despite his feeling confident in Joshua for the fight, it must be approached with caution. "He's not just a routine fight. We have to take it deadly serious."

"I think he should take care of Kristian Prenga", Hearn added. "I don't think it will be really easy, because the guy is coming with the ultimate lottery ticket. But we've got to be beating people like him. It will give us good preparation [for Fury]."

Speaking on the upcoming bout between Fury and Joshua, Hearn confirmed that both fighters have signed a deal to compete.

In terms of a location for the bout, Hearn revealed that a venue had not been confirmed. However, he believes that Turki Alalshikh will 'want to give British boxing fans something they'll remember forever' by hosting it in England.

There is also no confirmed date for the bout, but Hearn alluded to the pair fighting in early to mid-November.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Joshua warned about 'very dangerous situation' with Kristian Prenga

Boxing fans were checking BoxRec yesterday for more information on Anthony Joshua’s July 25 opponent, Kristian Prenga. The plan is for Joshua to boost his confidence while winning handsomely and head towards an all-British showdown with Tyson Fury at the end of 2026.

The manager of the 35-year-old Prenga, Keith Sullivan, today warned that his fighter is not about to let that happen.

“If Team Joshua thinks this is an easy night for AJ they’ve made a serious mistake,” Sullivan warned. “They just walked into a very dangerous situation. Underestimate Prenga at your own risk.

“I understand why they chose Prenga, but I don’t think they fully understand who they chose, which is going to become very clear on fight night. Team Prenga and I have tremendous respect for AJ and what he has accomplished: extensive amateur record, two Olympic medals, three heavyweight championships, more than a dozen heavyweight title fights, millions earned.

Kristian has not been as fortunate to have those privileged experiences. However, what he does have is heart, determination, strong self-confidence, and power.

“This is clearly a lose-lose situation for AJ. If he wins, he is criticized for his opponent selection; if he loses, he is beaten into retirement. I would hate to be in AJ’s shoes or mindset for the next 13 weeks.”

Prenga is a former two-time European kickboxing champion. He had no amateur experience. He lost his fifth professional bout. He’s met nobody even approaching Joshua’s class. No matter, says Sullivan.

“Joshua is a great fighter but KP isn’t coming to participate – he’s coming to shock the world!”

[margaret thatcher]

no amateur fights, not surprised watching him