By Sports Desk

Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is entering the final phase of preparations for his highly anticipated return to the ring, with a July 25 showdown against unbeaten Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga set to pave the way for a long-awaited clash with British rival Tyson Fury.

Joshua's bout with Prenga, scheduled in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is widely being viewed as a tune-up fight after the 36-year-old spent months away from competitive action. Victory would keep him on course for what could become one of the biggest heavyweight contests in boxing history against Fury later this year.

Speaking ahead of his comeback, Joshua has expressed confidence in his preparations and insisted he is fully focused on the immediate challenge rather than looking ahead to Fury. However, he also revealed he would have no hesitation facing his long-time rival in the ring after dispatching Prenga.

The proposed Joshua–Fury showdown has gathered fresh momentum in recent weeks, with promoters continuing discussions over the venue and broadcast arrangements. Wembley Stadium, Cardiff's Principality Stadium and Saudi Arabia have all been mentioned as possible hosts, while organisers are also considering scheduling the bout at an unusually late hour to maximise the global television audience.

Joshua also made headlines this week after naming Oleksandr Usyk as the finest boxer in the world today, praising the Ukrainian champion's technical ability and achievements across multiple weight divisions. The comments underline the respect Joshua continues to have for the man who twice defeated him in world title fights.

While some boxing observers have questioned the competitiveness of the Prenga fight, Joshua's camp maintains that the contest is an important step in rebuilding momentum before a potential mega-fight with Fury, a bout fans have demanded for years.

If Joshua emerges victorious on July 25, attention is expected to shift immediately to finalising the blockbuster all-British heavyweight showdown, a contest that could become one of the biggest events in modern boxing history.