Anthony Joshua will return to boxing against Christian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25. The former world champion reappeared in London to announce his comeback following the loss of his titles to Oleksandr Usyk and a defeat to Daniel Dubois.
Prenga has knocked out 20 of his 21 rivals since taking his fists to America. Before the bout in Jeddah, Joshua will return to training under the watchful eye of Usyk, who defeated him in two previous ring meetings.
"Yes I'm back," Joshua said. "Back to the place where I always find my purpose. Where I'm content. Boxing is therapeutic for me."
Support for bereaved families
Joshua returned to boxing while supporting the families of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, his two closest camp friends who died in a car crash in Nigeria that Joshua miraculously survived.
"Their parents have been my priority," AJ said. "I'm doing everything I can for them and keeping them close."
Lessons from Usyk and future fights
Joshua also spoke about his relationship with Usyk, a devout Catholic. "I don't follow a particular faith but Alex has shown me the power of prayer," Joshua said. "I've also learned from the finest boxer of our generation the collective power of keeping every last one of a boxer's team permanently locked into a productive collective. Not just coming and going to do their individual bit."
The return journey starts with the warm-up in Jeddah and continues with a mega fight against Tyson Fury, known as the Gypsy King, in the autumn. "And after I deal with Tyson Fury," he grins, "on to world titles. I accept this will be a tough year and I'm coming up 37 in October but I feel have the strength in every aspect to keep fighting until I'm 40. Boxing's what I do."