Anthony Joshua to face Kristian Prenga with undercard confirmed
Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will make his boxing return against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah next weekend following the announcement of a 12-fight undercard.
The Briton’s return comes seven months after a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
He last competed in December, securing a sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul.
A successful bout against Prenga is expected to finally set up a highly anticipated clash with British rival Tyson Fury later this year.
Fury showdown looms
The ‘Gypsy King’ is scheduled to face Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, just one day prior to the Jeddah event.
Both heavyweights must navigate their respective bouts unscathed to ensure their long-awaited blockbuster fight goes ahead.
The former unified champion has been intensifying his preparations over the past eight weeks to ensure a statement victory in the Middle East.
Really about two months ago I started really ramping things up, so I was training but there’s levels to training. Anthony Joshua
Sheeraz defends WBO title
The co-main event in Saudi Arabia features Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz defending his WBO super-middleweight title against Simon Zachenhuber.
The titleholder claimed the belt in May with a brutal stoppage of Alem Begic at the Pyramids of Giza.
His German opponent enters the ring having bounced back from a shock April defeat to Pawel Augustynik with a recent victory over Armin Ajrulai.
Kelly eyes first defence
Elsewhere on the card, Josh Kelly will make the first defence of his IBF super-welterweight title.
The Sunderland fighter faces unbeaten Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko, having originally won the belt against Bakhram Murtazaliev in January.
Augustynik will also feature on the bill, taking on undefeated Danish brawler Jacob Bank.
Undercard prospects in action
Japanese featherweight Reito Tsutsumi returns to the region to fight fellow unbeaten contender Alvino Herrera following a stoppage win in Riyadh last December.
Olympic gold medallist Oleksandr Khyzhniak makes his second professional appearance when the Ukrainian faces Frenchman Lenny Patrach.
Meanwhile, British flyweight Mikie Tallon completes the main announcements, with the Liverpool boxer clashing with Venezuela’s Orlando Pino.