Anthony Joshua, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist and two-time unified heavyweight world champion, has officially confirmed his highly anticipated return to the boxing ring for the first time in 2026. This announcement marks a significant moment for the heavyweight division, as Joshua aims to reclaim his territory and continue his path towards undisputed status.

His comeback fight is scheduled for July 25, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua will face the formidable Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, who enters the ring with an impressive record of 20 wins, all secured by way of stoppage. This bout is strategically positioned as a high-stakes return to form for Joshua, following a period of both personal hardship and professional success.

AJ's return builds upon a strong foundation of dominant victories in 2024 and 2025, including an emphatic knockout of Francis Ngannou and a disciplined win over Otto Wallin. A decisive victory against Prenga in Riyadh is expected to clear the path for a massive, undisputed title showdown against rival Tyson Fury, currently slated for the final quarter of the year.

This return carries deep personal significance for Joshua. He has been away from the sport since December 2025, following a tragic car accident in Nigeria that resulted in the loss of two close friends. While this tragedy delayed his initial plans for early 2026, his recent return to training signals a renewed focus on his professional goals and an unwavering commitment to his sport.

Joshua's mindset for this comeback is clear and uncompromising. Regarding his mission to take back his spot at the top of the rankings, he stated, “It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring and today is the next step on that journey… I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off. As I said. The landlord will collect his rent. That is certain.”

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, also highlighted the champion’s mental shift and the monumental year ahead, stating, “Signed, sealed and delivered! AJ vs Fury is on! … Biggest year of AJ’s career coming up, the comeback is on.” With his previous wins providing a solid foundation and the Riyadh Season serving as a grand backdrop, all eyes will be on Anthony Joshua this summer to see if he can move one step closer to achieving undisputed heavyweight status.