Things To Know As Anthony Joshua Returns Against Kristian Prenga

Anthony Joshua returns to the ring on Saturday when he faces Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as he begins preparations for a proposed blockbuster showdown with fellow Briton Tyson Fury.

The 36-year-old former world heavyweight champion has been out of action following a road accident in Lagos. His last fight came in December, when he knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round in Miami. Saturday’s bout offers Joshua another opportunity to build momentum ahead of his anticipated clash with Fury.

Prenga, 35, enters the contest with an impressive knockout record but has yet to establish himself among boxing’s elite heavyweights. While the Albanian possesses genuine punching power, Joshua will start as the overwhelming favourite.

Can Joshua secure another convincing victory and stay on course for the long-awaited Fury fight, or will Prenga produce one of the biggest upsets of the year?

The event also features two world title fights. Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz will defend his WBO super-middleweight title against Germany’s Simon Zachenhuber, while Josh Kelly puts his IBF light-middleweight belt on the line against Ireland’s Caoimhin Agyarko.

Fight card

Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – Heavyweight
Hamzah Sheeraz (c) vs Simon Zachenhuber – WBO super-middleweight title
Josh Kelly (c) vs Caoimhin Agyarko – IBF light-middleweight title
Reito Tsutsumi vs Alvino Herrera – Super-featherweight
Jacob Bank vs Pawel August – Super-middleweight
Nishant Dev vs Cesar Diaz – Light-middleweight

The Sheeraz-Zachenhuber title fight is expected to begin at approximately 9:40 p.m., while Joshua and Prenga are not expected to make their ring walk before 11:00 p.m.

How their records compare

Although Joshua is only a few months older than Prenga, their careers have followed contrasting paths.

Joshua captured Olympic gold for Great Britain at the 2012 Games before turning professional in 2013. He went on to become a two-time world heavyweight champion, winning his first 16 professional fights by knockout.

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He claimed his first world title by stopping Charles Martin for the IBF belt before producing one of the defining moments of his career with an 11th-round stoppage of Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in 2017 to unify the heavyweight division. Joshua later added the WBO title after defeating Joseph Parker.

After suffering his first professional defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, Joshua regained his world titles in the rematch. Consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022 ended his reign, while Daniel Dubois stopped him in six rounds during their IBF title fight in September 2024.

Joshua bounced back in December 2025 by knocking out Jake Paul, improving his professional record to 29 wins and four defeats, with 26 victories coming inside the distance.

Prenga turned professional three years after Joshua and won his opening four fights by knockout before suffering the only defeat of his career. Since then, he has put together a 16-fight winning streak, with all 20 of his victories ending by knockout, although he has yet to face a recognised world-class opponent.

What is at stake?

No championship belts will be on the line when Joshua faces Prenga.

However, victory is expected to clear the path for Joshua’s long-awaited all-British showdown with Tyson Fury after both heavyweights reportedly agreed terms to finally settle their rivalry in the ring.