LONDON (AP) — Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will fight for the first time since his involvement in a deadly car crash in December when he takes on Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia in July.
“It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring,” Joshua said in a statement from his promoter, Matchroom, “and today is the next step on that journey.”
The 36-year-old Joshua will fight Prenga, an Albanian with 20 victories and one loss, on July 25 in Riyadh in the headline bout in “The Comeback,” which is part of Esports World Cup Festival.
Joshua’s last fight was a knockout victory over YouTuber Jake Paul on Dec. 19. Ten days later, he was injured in a car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his friends.
In the Matchroom statement, Joshua said the fight with Prenga is the first in a “multi-fight deal” that could yet include a long-anticipated bout with British rival Tyson Fury.
Joshua was present when Fury, also a former two-time heavyweight champion, ended a 15-month retirement from the ring when beating Russian-born Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11.
“I know they have big plans ahead after this fight,” Prenga said. “I know they are overlooking me. I’m happy about that. I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia.”
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