Why did Anthony Joshua choose this unusual opponent?

Anthony Joshua has officially returned to the professional ring. The announcement, however, wasn’t as spectacular as fans had expected—but the real headline came shortly after: a fight with Tyson Fury is on the horizon.

Over the past few weeks, there has been intense speculation about the long-awaited “Battle of Britain.” Fans have been anticipating this massive showdown for years, but before it arrives, another, more routine announcement came—AJ’s next fight. Joshua will face 35-year-old Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga. On paper, it looks like an easy task for the Brit.

The two will clash on July 25 in Riyadh. Interestingly, this bout will headline the boxing event, making it a huge opportunity—a real jackpot—for Prenga. He has never been a standout star but has built a professional record of 20–1. There’s one key detail that fuels interest in the fight: all 20 of his victories came by knockout. For comparison, Joshua boasts an impressive 29–4 record (26 knockouts). A judges’ decision seems unlikely—fans are unanimously predicting a quick finish.

The Albanian won’t simply sit back and defend. Still, fans remember Joshua’s previous fight, where he faced an opponent who also seemed outmatched—YouTuber Jake Paul. That bout turned into a brutal battle. By the end, AJ shifted into top gear, and the American had to be hospitalized with multiple jaw fractures. A similar scenario could unfold again. However, Joshua is unlikely to rush for a quick knockout—he’s treating this as preparation. For him, the fight is a warm-up before Fury, and he needs time in the ring.

Joshua himself addressed the announcement, emphasizing why he chose such an opponent. Many have already dismissed the Albanian as a “tune-up fight”:

“It's no secret that I needed time to regain my strength and recover for my return to the ring. Today is the next step on that path. I’m looking forward to this fight and picking up where I left off. As I said, the landlord will get his rent. That’s for sure.”

Joshua truly needed this intermediate bout. While the break after his previous fight wasn’t long, something far more significant happened in his life. He suffered a tragic loss—his trainers, Sina Gami and Kevin Ayodele, died in an accident. After such an event, even thinking about returning to the ring can be incredibly difficult. Still, Joshua pushed through and quickly resumed training. Yet competing without the very people who helped him become a superstar won’t be easy. This makes a “test fight” all the more necessary.

In this situation, both fighters stand to gain. Joshua gets a chance to prepare for Fury—not just physically, but mentally. Entering major fights with psychological strain is not only dangerous but highly detrimental. Prenga, on the other hand, receives the biggest opportunity of his career—and, of course, a substantial payday.

There may not be much suspense in this matchup, but Prenga certainly has every reason to be satisfied.