Anthony Joshua’s highly anticipated return to the ring will now take place in Jeddah, with organizers confirming that his July 25 heavyweight bout against Albanian contender Kristian Prenga has been moved from Riyadh to the Red Sea city. The fight, branded as “The Comeback,” is expected to be staged at the Jeddah Superdome and streamed worldwide on DAZN.
The venue switch was announced just weeks before the event, although no official reason was provided for the move. The fight was originally unveiled in April as part of Joshua’s new multi-fight agreement in Saudi Arabia and was initially scheduled for Riyadh.
For Joshua, the contest marks much more than another fight night.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion has not competed since December 2025. His absence came after a tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and members of his team. Since then, Joshua has largely stayed out of the spotlight while rebuilding physically and mentally ahead of his return.
Speaking ahead of the bout, Joshua said the experience has made him stronger and more focused. The British star believes he is entering a new phase of his career and is determined to prove that he remains a major force in the heavyweight division.
Standing across from him will be Kristian Prenga, a 35-year-old former kickboxer who has built a reputation as a knockout artist. Prenga owns a professional record of 20 wins and one defeat, with all of his victories coming inside the distance. While many observers view him as an underdog, the Albanian has made it clear that he is arriving in Saudi Arabia with ambitions of producing a major upset.
The fight is widely seen as a crucial step toward one of boxing’s biggest potential matchups. Promoters have already confirmed plans for a long-awaited showdown between Joshua and fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury later this year, provided both men continue on their current path. Joshua’s clash with Prenga is therefore being treated as a key checkpoint before that blockbuster event.
Saudi Arabia has become one of boxing’s biggest destinations in recent years, and Joshua is no stranger to fighting in the Kingdom. He previously competed in Jeddah during his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in 2022 and has also headlined major events in Riyadh. The move to Jeddah adds another chapter to that relationship as Saudi Arabia continues to attract some of the sport’s most high-profile events.
On July 25, all eyes will be on Jeddah as Joshua begins his comeback journey. Whether it is a straightforward return or the start of another heavyweight title run, the boxing world will be watching closely.
