The road to the long-awaited Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua showdown is no longer just about November.
First, Joshua must survive a dangerous July 25 comeback in Jeddah against Albanian knockout artist, Kristian Prenga, a man who insists the former champion has “never felt anything like my punch.”
For Joshua, the stakes are enormous.
The two-time heavyweight champion is returning for the first time since the tragic car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends late last year.
Many questioned whether he would ever box again.
Instead, he is preparing for what could be the most consequential stretch of his career: a comeback fight against Prenga, followed by an expected November super-fight with Fury.
– Read More: BREAKING: Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury CONFIRMED After a Decade But There’s A Catch
Comeback Date
Joshua vs Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Prenga Record
Every win has come by knockout.
– Read More: BREAKING!!! Anthony Joshua Injured as Car Crash Claims Two Lives on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway
“I am Stronger Mentally than ever” – Anthony Joshua
Speaking to Sky Sports, Joshua described boxing as a source of renewed purpose during a difficult period of his life.
“I feel solid. This is where I want to be. I’m very grateful for this opportunity. It’s nice doing what I love.”
“I’m building myself up to be stronger than I’ve ever been; not only physically, because that’s natural, but mentally.”
“I’ve realised I’m a lot stronger than I ever thought I was.”
The 36-year-old has not fought since December 2025, and he rejected the idea that signing paperwork for a future Fury bout should be celebrated.
“I’m not pleased because the pleasure really comes after victory. Signing a contract doesn’t mean anything.”
“Winning is the only true success.”
Joshua also made clear that retirement is not imminent. Asked about his future, he suggested he could continue fighting until he turns 40.
“I’m coming up to 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it’ll go quick.”
“Obviously it’s going to be tough, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it. Why not? I’m definitely more mature.”
“So that’s the road map, undisputed champion, we’re on the journey. July 25 is getting back on the gravy train.”
– Read More: Anthony Joshua Opens Up on Personal Tragedy as Tyson Fury Mega-Fight Moves Closer
‘You’ve Never Felt Anything Like My Punch’ – Prenga
Prenga arrives with a modest profile but a terrifying knockout ratio.
All 20 of his victories have come inside the distance, and he has stopped nearly every opponent he has faced since the lone defeat of his career.
At the pre-fight press conference, the Albanian heavyweight delivered a direct warning to Joshua.
“I train hard, I am ready. I promise you, if I catch you, you’ve never felt anything like my punch.”
“I promise it.”
“You’re a great fighter, but in the ring, I don’t have respect for nobody.”
The 35-year-old insisted he is not traveling to Saudi Arabia as a sacrificial opponent.
“I think I’m going to shock the world.”
Prenga’s manager, Keith Sullivan, went further, claiming Matchroom Boxing had made a “miscalculation” and that his fighter was “coming for it all.”
Prenga also framed his underdog status as an advantage.
“Being underestimated is actually a positive thing for me. Planning before is trying to be bigger than God, and no one is.”
“You’ve got to go with God’s plans, and then you will become a winner.”
“On July 25, I will show it’s God’s plans.”
He admitted the opportunity initially felt unreal.
“When my manager called me, he said, ‘You’re going to have a big opportunity, you can fight with AJ.’”
“First, I didn’t believe it, but I said, ‘Let’s go.’ It’s my time now.”
“I respect him. He’s a great fighter.”
“I watched him from the first fight, always. I grew up with him, but everything he has, I think now is my time.”
“I need to show the world. I’m going to do my best.”
“I promise.”
– Read More: How Anthony Joshua Silenced Jake Paul Who Faces Lengthy Ban
Fury Looms in November, but Can Joshua Get Through July?
The Joshua–Fury contract may be signed, but Joshua has repeatedly emphasized that the fight means nothing if he fails against Prenga.
Fury is expected to take a warm-up fight on August 1 in Dublin before the targeted November showdown.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has said the United Kingdom and the United States are both being discussed as possible hosts, with Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh expected to have significant influence over the final decision.
The danger for Joshua is: a loss to Prenga would instantly destroy the momentum behind one of British boxing’s most anticipated heavyweight clashes.
Joshua Opens Door to MMA Crossover Talk
In a separate interview on The Ring’s Mr. Verzace Podcast, Joshua revealed he has seriously thought about crossing into MMA.
“Believe me, I was thinking, why don’t I step over into one of their territories, because they keep on coming over into our territory.”
“Obviously, this is big business. It’s big boxing. It’s heavyweight boxing. You are talking about the best in their chosen field.”
“MMA, kickboxing, these aren’t amateurs. These are actually experienced fighters.”
“But it would be good if one of us went into that side, and we see how we get on over there.”
Joshua argued that boxing remains the pinnacle of combat sports while acknowledging the commercial appeal of crossover events.
“Let’s say I was to crossover into MMA. It wouldn’t be as big as them coming over into boxing.”
“Boxing is just the pinnacle of combat sport, right?”
He added that any crossover bout would need genuine star power.
“One-hundred percent [I would want to fight a guy with name value], so that means it’s big business then. MMA, kickboxing, or boxing.”
“It can be done. I believe it should be done. I think that’ll be the next thing that we want to see.”
“But I was thinking about it. Those guys keep on coming over into our territory.”
“It’ll be interesting to see who the [next] one will be to cross over into their territory.”
Comeback or Countdown for Anthony Joshua?
Joshua’s next few months now carry multiple storylines at once.
- Can he prove that the physical and emotional setbacks of the past year are behind him?
- Can he avoid the upset Prenga keeps promising?
- Can he finally reach the Fury fight that has been discussed for years?
- And can a 36-year-old heavyweight realistically continue chasing an undisputed title deep into his late 30s?
Joshua’s answer is emphatic. He believes the journey is still alive.
“So that’s the road map, undisputed champion, we’re on the journey. July 25 is getting back on the gravy train.”
Prenga’s answer is even more dramatic:
“I think I’m going to shock the world.”
One of them will leave Jeddah with the Fury dream intact. The other will leave having changed the heavyweight picture overnight.
