JUST IN: Anthony Joshua set for first fight since car accident

Get ready, fight fans! Anthony Joshua is stepping back into the ring on July 25th for a crucial warm-up bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against the relatively unknown Albanian heavyweight, Kristian Prenga. This fight, part of the 'Esports World Cup' event and set to be broadcast live on DAZN, marks AJ's first appearance since his December knockout victory over Jake Paul.

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To my friends in Great Britain – it’s happening. It’s signed.

The stakes are high as this bout is a stepping stone towards a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury later this year. Joshua has signed a two-fight deal with Riyadh Season, confirming that the 'landlord will collect his rent' – a clear message to Fury and the boxing world.

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It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back in to the ring, and today is the next step on that journey.

This return is particularly poignant for Joshua, who has been recovering from a tragic car accident in Nigeria shortly after his last fight. The accident claimed the lives of two close friends and left the former unified heavyweight champion with minor injuries. Having since returned to rigorous training, Joshua is clearly determined to reclaim his dominance in the heavyweight division.

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I’m delighted to have agreed to a multi-flight deal starting with July 25th in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.