Written with the help of artificial-intelligence tools and checked by automated controls.
This content was machine-translated from the French version.
01A comeback nobody was expecting\n\n25 July 2026. Jeddah Superdome, Saudi Arabia. Anthony Joshua is set to step back into the boxing ring. Seven months after the road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his loved ones and nearly brought his career to a definitive end, the 36-year-old Briton is set to make one of the most moving comebacks in recent boxing history. The news spread like wildfire, and emotions remain running high in the heavyweight circuit. British observers, who had not seen Joshua in such a precarious position since his defeat to Usyk, are hoping this time for a comeback worthy of the man himself.\n\nFacing him is Kristian Prenga. A 35-year-old Albanian with an impressive record: 20 wins, 20 KOs, just one defeat. Not the most high-profile name in the heavyweight division, and he’s fully aware of that. This fight is a warm-up, a springboard towards the real objective: Tyson Fury. “It’s no secret that I’ve taken my time to rebuild and consolidate my form,” Joshua said. “I can’t wait to get back into competition and pick up exactly where I left off. ”\n\n## Fury in his sights\n\nBecause, as everyone knows, the real fight is the other one. “Signed, sealed, announced: AJ vs Fury, here we go!” declared Eddie Hearn on his social media. Joshua’s promoter confirmed what was no longer really a secret: the two giants of British heavyweight boxing will face off before the end of 2026, most likely in November. The exact date is yet to be finalised, but the financial terms and the agreement in principle have already been finalised.\n\nNetflix is reportedly in pole position to broadcast what promises to be one of the biggest events in boxing history. The two men have been eyeing each other up without actually meeting for years. Fury had directly challenged Joshua after his latest victory in April: “Let’s give boxing fans what they want: the Battle of Britain. I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to face me.” The tension between the two camps, which has never really subsided, is coming to the fore once again as the deadline approaches. Beyond the sport itself, it is also a question of legacy: the two men have never jointly secured the ‘fight of the year’ title, and the window of opportunity is closing.\n\n## A line-up that’s gaining momentum\n\nThe undercard, unveiled in mid-July, adds further lustre to the evening. Two title fights are on the programme: Hamzah Sheeraz will defend his WBC Silver middleweight title, whilst Josh Kelly will put his WBO Intercontinental super-welterweight title on the line. The whole event will be broadcast on pay-per-view via DAZN, with a card designed to offer fans a cohesive programme centred around Joshua’s comeback.\n\nWith eight days to go, there’s just one burning question on fans’ minds: what condition will Joshua be in? The Briton (29 wins, 4 defeats, 26 KOs) hasn’t fought since December 2025. Prenga, however limited he may seem on paper, packs enough of a punch — with a 100 per cent KO record — to punish the slightest hesitation. This 25 July is not just a fight. It is an existential test. If Joshua clears this hurdle without a hitch, the path to Fury will be wide open. If he stumbles, the whole latter part of his career will be thrown into disarray, and the November showdown will slip further out of reach.
