• Promoter Eddie Hearn has described Anthony Joshua’s July return to boxing as the “ultimate comeback”
• Joshua will return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in his first fight since December
• The bout marks Joshua’s first appearance since a fatal car crash in Nigeria late last year

Promoter Eddie Hearn has described Anthony Joshua’s upcoming return to the ring as the “ultimate comeback” as the former heavyweight champion prepares to fight again in July.

Joshua is set to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25 in what will be his first bout since surviving a devastating car crash in Nigeria late last year.

The former world heavyweight champion has been out of action since the December accident, which claimed the lives of two members of his team and left Joshua dealing with physical injuries and emotional trauma.

Now, just months later, the British-Nigerian boxer is preparing for a highly anticipated comeback, with Hearn insisting Joshua’s return is about much more than simply stepping back into the ring.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Hearn said Joshua’s comeback should be viewed in a different light because of everything he has had to overcome physically, mentally and emotionally.

He said many fighters would not return after enduring the kind of injuries Joshua sustained, describing the 36-year-old’s determination as remarkable.

Joshua’s clash with Prenga is expected to serve as a crucial warm-up ahead of a long-awaited showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury later this year.

Hearn acknowledged the pressure surrounding the July bout, saying it will answer key questions about Joshua’s readiness and condition after months away from boxing.

He stressed that the Prenga fight is necessary to ensure Joshua is fully prepared before facing Fury in one of boxing’s most anticipated all-British matchups.

Prenga enters the contest with a 20-1 professional record and has remained unbeaten for nine years, making him a solid test for Joshua’s return.

Joshua, a two-time heavyweight world champion, last fought in December when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the sixth round, bouncing back from his previous defeat to Daniel Dubois.

For Hearn, the July contest is not just a comeback fight, it is a test of Joshua’s resilience, recovery and readiness to reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division.

Anthony Joshua moves to Dubai from UK amid Middle East tensions

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua confirmed plans to shift his residency from the United Kingdom to the United Arab Emirates, selecting Dubai as his new base despite rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The former two-time heavyweight world champion formally disclosed the move in corporate filings related to his business interests, indicating that the 36-year-old boxer will now officially reside in the UAE, according to the Daily Mail.