This Saturday, July 25th, sees two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua step back into the ring for the first time since his triumph over Jake Paul in late 2025. Facing Kristian Prenga, a rising Albanian star with an impressive record of his own, it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
That is, even though many fans feel the match will be a foregone conclusion. While it’s been a hot minute since Joshua last fought professionally, the odds lean heavily in his favor. That said, placing a bet on the Anthony Joshua fight might not be as straightforward as a lot of fans think.
Business as usual?
Joshua’s bout with Prenga is being called ‘The Comeback’ even before it’s begun. Many fans see this weekend’s fight as a stepping stone or warm-up to get the former champion closer to facing Tyson Fury. While that dream matchup might be getting more and more realistic, there are a few reasons why we shouldn’t rule Prenga out completely.
The Albanian No. 2 has a fairly impressive record of his own, currently standing at 20-1, having won every match by knockout. He has been on the circuit since mid-2016, so he has plenty of experience, but it’s sheer power and technique that will set these fighters apart on the big night.
On paper, Joshua shouldn’t feel too threatened by Prenga. Joshua is markedly the biggest star that Prenga has come up against so far in his career, meaning it’s likely to be one of the biggest challenges he’s faced to date. Despite having spent time away from the professional circuit, Joshua is still one of the highest-ranked heavyweight boxers in the UK.
And, boxing odds at the time of writing suggest there’s a drift pulling Prenga away from victory. However, even with matches that seem like business as usual for former champions like Joshua, there is still a chance for an upset.
High confidence
Despite the odds being against him right now, Prenga has been speaking confidently about his chances for weeks leading up to the fight.
“I don’t think he [Joshua] is the best heavyweight in the world, but he’s a great fighter… I think he has a lot of flaws,” Prenga said to DAZN, reported by The Ring. “It’s not going to go 10 rounds or 12 rounds.”
Prenga’s confidence may be high in part due to his opponent’s extended time away from professional fighting. After being knocked out by Daniel Dubois inside five rounds in the autumn of 2024, Joshua only has his triumph over Jake Paul last year under his belt. It is easy to assume, perhaps, that the boxer will be off his form.
However, pundits and bookmakers think otherwise. Joshua’s incredible career so far speaks volumes for his versatility under pressure.
The Prenga fight is being positioned as a comeback, but we shouldn’t be too quick to assume that the Albanian will be walked over so easily. Regardless of what happens, this is going to be more than just a filler fight as Joshua steps closer to facing Fury.
