Anthony Joshua returns to heavyweight action against Kristian Prenga at Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, 25 July.
Joshua enters as the clear favourite. He has fought for world titles, headlined stadium events and shared the ring with several of the leading heavyweights of his generation.
Prenga brings a very different type of résumé. The Albanian has won 20 of his 21 professional fights, with every victory coming inside the distance. However, he has never faced an opponent with Joshua’s combination of size, experience and proven punching power.
The fight therefore carries a simple question. Can Prenga’s power survive a dramatic rise in opposition, or will Joshua’s superior fundamentals and experience turn the contest into a controlled comeback victory?
Readers unfamiliar with the challenger can learn more through our detailed profile of Kristian Prenga and his knockout record.
What time is Anthony Joshua v Kristian Prenga?
Joshua v Prenga headlines “The Comeback” card at Jeddah Superdome.
The event begins at approximately 6pm BST, with the main-event ring walks provisionally expected at around 10.52pm. Boxing schedules can change depending on the length of the undercard contests, so viewers should avoid treating that time as exact.
The fight will be shown worldwide on DAZN. UK viewers can purchase the event for £19.99, while the listed US price is $59.99. It is also included for eligible DAZN Ultimate subscribers.
The official Matchroom event listing contains the latest card information, while DAZN has published a Joshua v Prenga viewing guide covering the broadcast and expected timings.
Why this fight matters for Joshua
Joshua is not fighting for a world championship in Jeddah, but the result could still shape the closing stages of his career.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion remains one of the biggest commercial names in boxing. However, every comeback creates pressure. Fans will expect him to win this contest convincingly rather than simply survive it.
A proposed meeting with Tyson Fury provides the wider context. Joshua and Fury have spent years moving towards a fight without sharing the ring, and another major agreement has revived hopes that the all-British contest could finally happen later in 2026.
Joshua must first deal with the opponent in front of him.
Fury also has a preparatory contest against Mariusz Wach in Thailand. Our Tyson Fury v Mariusz Wach preview explains why both British heavyweights are under pressure to look sharp before attention turns towards their proposed meeting.
For Joshua, a routine points victory may not create the momentum his team wants. He needs to look composed, decisive and physically ready for a much bigger assignment.
That does not mean he should chase an early knockout recklessly. The most convincing performance would combine patience with controlled aggression.
What makes Kristian Prenga dangerous?
Prenga’s record demands attention. He has won 20 professional fights and stopped every opponent he has beaten.
His only defeat came on points against Giovanni Auriemma in 2017. Since then, Prenga has built a long winning run and developed a reputation as a physically strong heavyweight who looks for the finish.
Those numbers make him dangerous, but they require context.
Prenga has not faced anyone close to Joshua’s level. Moving from small-hall and regional contests into a global main event against an Olympic gold medallist represents an enormous increase in difficulty.
Joshua will punch harder than most of Prenga’s previous opponents. He will also deliver those punches with greater speed, accuracy and technical variety.
Prenga cannot rely on his record alone. He must prove that his power remains effective against a heavyweight who understands distance and has operated under the pressure of major championship fights.
However, knockout power always provides an underdog with hope. Heavyweight contests can change with one mistake, particularly when the favourite becomes impatient or exchanges unnecessarily.
Joshua knows that better than most.
Joshua holds the technical advantage
Joshua should control the contest when he works behind a firm jab.
The jab can prevent Prenga from setting his feet, disrupt his forward movement and create openings for Joshua’s right hand. It can also help Joshua judge the distance without entering exchanges before he has read the challenger’s timing.
Joshua is most effective when his attacks have structure. The jab sets up the straight right, while combinations to the head and body can force a physically strong opponent to defend rather than advance.
He should also hold the advantage at mid-range. Prenga has stopped every opponent he has beaten, but he has not faced the same speed or variety that Joshua can produce when he releases combinations.
Joshua must resist the temptation to load up on every punch. Searching too aggressively for an early finish could allow Prenga to counter over the top or turn the contest into an untidy exchange.
A patient Joshua should be able to make Prenga reset repeatedly. Once the Albanian begins reacting to the jab, Joshua can increase the pressure and bring his right hand and left hook into play.
Prenga must make the fight uncomfortable
Prenga is unlikely to win a measured boxing match from the outside.
His best opportunity is to close the distance, force Joshua towards the ropes and create exchanges before the favourite establishes a comfortable rhythm.
That approach carries considerable risk. Prenga must move through Joshua’s jab and place himself within range of one of the hardest punchers in the division.
However, allowing Joshua to dictate the tempo would probably produce a one-sided contest. Prenga needs to ask difficult questions early, even if doing so exposes him to counters.
He should attack the body when possible. Body punches could slow Joshua’s movement and make it harder for him to maintain distance over the later rounds.
Prenga must also remain composed if he lands something significant. Rushing forward after momentary success could leave him open to Joshua’s straight right hand or a short counter uppercut.
His route to victory is narrow, but it exists. He needs to make the fight physical, force Joshua backwards and land before the former champion settles.
The opening rounds could decide the pattern
The first three rounds should reveal whether Prenga can translate his knockout record to this level.
Joshua is likely to begin behind his jab, controlling the centre while studying Prenga’s reactions. He does not need to force the pace immediately.
Prenga must show that he can cross the distance without absorbing clean punches. He also needs to give Joshua a reason to hesitate.
Should Joshua establish the jab and push Prenga backwards, the underdog’s task will become significantly harder. Prenga’s power is most useful when he can plant his feet and punch with commitment.
Joshua should therefore keep him moving, change the angle after attacking and avoid remaining directly in front of him.
If Prenga lands early, the atmosphere and tactical picture could change. Joshua may become more cautious, while Prenga could gain the confidence required to continue pressing.
That possibility gives the opening rounds genuine interest, even in a contest where one fighter holds almost every proven advantage.
Joshua must balance control with authority
Joshua cannot approach this as though the result is guaranteed.
He has occasionally looked less comfortable when opponents have disrupted his rhythm, crowded his work or forced him to make quick defensive decisions. Prenga will try to create those moments.
Joshua must remain disciplined without becoming passive. Standing at long range and throwing occasional single punches may reduce the immediate danger, but it would not provide the statement performance expected from him.
He needs to take control through activity.
A consistent jab, combinations to the body and short bursts of pressure should gradually reduce Prenga’s confidence. Joshua can then increase the power once the openings become clearer.
The ideal performance would show calmness rather than caution. Joshua does not need to prove that he can survive a wild contest. He needs to demonstrate that he can prevent one from developing.
The undercard carries two world-title fights
The supporting card gives the event more competitive depth than a conventional heavyweight comeback show.
Hamzah Sheeraz makes the first defence of his WBO super-middleweight title against Simon Zachenhuber. Sheeraz enters as the champion, but Zachenhuber brings experience and a strong professional record.
Josh Kelly also defends his IBF super-welterweight title against unbeaten Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko.
Those fights should provide meaningful action before the main event. They could also affect the expected Joshua v Prenga ring-walk time if either contest reaches the later rounds.
Supporters can follow further previews, results and reaction through the World in Sport boxing section and our wider Sports News coverage.
Anthony Joshua v Kristian Prenga prediction
Joshua has advantages in experience, technique, speed, opposition and big-fight composure.
Prenga’s perfect stoppage record in his victories makes him difficult to dismiss completely. He is likely to begin with ambition and will understand that this opportunity may never come again.
However, there is a substantial difference between stopping regional-level opposition and landing cleanly against a former unified champion.
Joshua should use the opening rounds to establish his jab, test Prenga’s reactions and prevent the underdog from building momentum. Once Joshua finds the range, his sharper combinations should begin breaking through.
Prenga may remain dangerous while he has the energy to press forward, but repeatedly crossing Joshua’s punching range is likely to take a toll.
The longer the fight lasts, the more Joshua’s superior shot selection and experience should separate the two men.
Prediction: Anthony Joshua to win by stoppage between rounds four and six.
Final verdict
Anthony Joshua should win this fight, but the performance carries almost as much importance as the result.
Prenga has earned his opportunity through a long run of stoppage victories. His power gives him a route into the contest, particularly if Joshua starts slowly or becomes careless while searching for a knockout.
Nevertheless, Joshua has operated at a far higher level. He should control the distance, land the cleaner combinations and gradually remove Prenga’s willingness to attack.
A disciplined stoppage victory would move Joshua beyond his latest comeback test and allow serious discussion about Tyson Fury to resume.
An uncertain or vulnerable display would create fresh doubts.
Joshua’s task in Jeddah is therefore straightforward: respect Prenga’s power, impose his superior ability and leave no reason for the boxing world to question what comes next.
