Heavyweight rivals Joshua, Prenga meet in London before Riyadh clash

Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua and Albanian knockout specialist Kristian Prenga are set for their first official face-off in London on June 1 ahead of their highly anticipated heavyweight clash scheduled for July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The meeting comes as excitement builds around Joshua’s return to the ring after his knockout victory over Jake Paul last December.

The British-Nigerian boxer, a two-time unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medallist, will headline the “The Comeback” event in Saudi Arabia in a contest that could shape the next chapter of the heavyweight division.

Joshua boasts a professional record of 28 wins, including 25 knockouts, and has shared the ring with some of boxing’s biggest names, including Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk, Andy Ruiz Jr., Daniel Dubois and Francis Ngannou.

Standing across from him will be Prenga, an Albanian heavyweight renowned for his devastating punching power.

The 35-year-old enters the bout with 20 knockout victories from 20 wins and just one defeat, making him one of the most dangerous opponents Joshua has faced in recent years.

The London face-off is expected to provide an early glimpse into the rivalry before the pair square off under the bright lights of Riyadh in what promises to be a high-stakes heavyweight encounter.