By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 4, 2026

Anthony Joshua has been hailed by Eddie Hearn ahead of his return to the boxing ring.

The former heavyweight world champion is set to make his comeback in July. His return will come just seven months after Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria.

The accident, which occurred in December, claimed the lives of two members of his team.

Joshua is now scheduled to fight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 25.

The 36-year-old is then set to take on Tyson Fury in a long-awaited all-British bout later this year.

Ahead of his clash with Prenga, Hearn has labelled Joshua’s return the ‘ultimate comeback’.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the promoter explained, “We also know the risk of this is everything that he’s coming back from.

“They’re calling this a comeback. People might think that’s quite strange because it’s only six months after he last fought, but it’s actually the ultimate comeback.

“It’s the comeback from the deepest of lows. Not just mentally and emotionally but physically as well.

“The injuries that he sustained in that crash, a lot of people would never fight again, and I think the strength that he has shown is quite incredible.”

Prenga boasts a 20-1 record as a professional, with the Albanian unbeaten for nine years.

The two-time heavyweight world champion defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December.

Paul was stopped in the sixth round in Miami as Joshua bounced back from his IBF title bout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024.

Joshua’s fight against Prenga will serve as preparation for taking on Fury later this year.

Hearn added, “There is a lot of pressure going into this fight, but there’s also a lot of questions to be answered.

“Physically, mentally, fighting again at all, and that’s why it’s needed.

“We want the best Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury. We don’t want a guy that, ‘maybe he should’ve had a warm-up fight, he wasn’t quite ready’.

“We want to be 100 per cent ready for that fight and, if he is, he’ll beat him, and he’ll knock him out.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 4, 2026

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