Boxing Wire

Tag: heavyweight

  • Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga Set for July 25 in Riyadh

    Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga Set for July 25 in Riyadh

    Anthony Joshua has his comeback opponent, and there is now a title at stake. The Olympic gold medallist and former two-time unified heavyweight champion will return to the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against unbeaten Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, with the official press release billing the bout for the WBC World Heavyweight Championship.

    The fight, dubbed “The Comeback,” was confirmed Monday by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. It will headline a card at the Esports World Cup at Boulevard City and stream live worldwide on DAZN. The bout opens a new multi-fight Saudi deal for Joshua, and crucially, it is the warm-up that activates a long-rumored showdown with Tyson Fury reportedly targeted for late 2026.

    Anthony Joshua Comeback Poster

    The WBC Title Billing

    The official Matchroom Boxing press release describes the fight as being for the WBC World Heavyweight Championship. That billing carries some complications. Oleksandr Usyk currently holds the full WBC heavyweight title and is scheduled to make a voluntary defense against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza, while Agit Kabayel holds the WBC interim title and has been waiting on a mandatory shot. Whether Joshua vs Prenga is sanctioned for a vacant version of the belt, a secondary WBC title, or pending further clarification from the sanctioning body, the press release does not specify. Further details from the WBC are expected.

    Joshua’s First Fight Since Tragedy

    This will be Joshua’s first appearance in the ring since his sixth-round stoppage of Jake Paul on December 19, 2025, in Miami. Ten days after that fight, Joshua was involved in a car crash in Lagos, Nigeria, that killed his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. He sustained only minor injuries, but at one point was reportedly believed to be retiring from the sport.

    Joshua, 36, broke his silence weeks later in an emotional video confirming his intent to fight on. The July 25 booking is the first concrete step on that road back. He enters with a professional record of 28-4 with 25 knockouts, his most recent win coming via knockout against Jake Paul.

    “It’s no secret I’ve taken some time to consolidate and rebuild to be ready for stepping back into the ring, and today is the next step on that journey,” Joshua said. “I’m delighted to have agreed a multi-fight deal starting with July 25th in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I’m looking forward to competing and picking up where I left off. As I said. The landlord will collect his rent. That is certain.”

    Joshua’s Heavyweight Résumé

    Matchroom’s release leaned hard on Joshua’s career résumé to frame the comeback. Over the past eight years, Joshua has been central to some of boxing’s biggest heavyweight events, with wins over Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev, and Andy Ruiz Jr., and high-profile defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois, and a stoppage of Francis Ngannou. He has headlined stadium events at Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    Who Is Kristian Prenga?

    Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) is a 35-year-old Albanian heavyweight based in New Jersey who carries a perfect knockout ratio. He turned professional in 2016, and his only loss came on points back in 2017. The July 25 bout will be the highest-profile fight of his career and his first major international main event. He has never been beyond eight rounds in a scheduled bout, and he has not faced anyone near world-level opposition.

    “Anthony Joshua is a great fighter, but he made a terrible miscalculation in picking me as his opponent,” Prenga said. “This is the kind of fight that changes everything in my life and his. I know they have big plans ahead after this fight. I know they are overlooking me. I’m happy about that. I will derail their plans and shock the world this July in Saudi Arabia.”

    The Fury Fight Is the Real Prize

    The subtext to Monday’s announcement is unmistakable. Promoter Eddie Hearn has openly said Joshua wanted a tune-up before facing Fury, and reporting from The Ring confirms that if Joshua comes through Prenga unscathed, he will finally meet Fury at the end of 2026 in what would be the most anticipated fight in British boxing history. That super-fight is expected to land on Netflix.

    Joshua and Fury have been on a collision course for more than a decade without sharing a ring. Tensions spiked earlier this month when Fury called Joshua out from the ring after beating Arslanbek Makhmudov, leading to Hearn confirming a two-fight structure built around a July warm-up and a Fury showdown later in the year.

    For now, the rent will be collected on July 25. The bigger payday is waiting on the other side.

  • Jarrell Miller Outworks Lenier Pero, Calls Out Deontay Wilder

    Jarrell Miller Outworks Lenier Pero, Calls Out Deontay Wilder

    Jarrell Miller outworked previously unbeaten Lenier Pero over 12 rounds to win a unanimous decision Saturday night in a WBA heavyweight title eliminator at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, then immediately turned his attention to Deontay Wilder.

    Two judges scored the bout 117-111 for Miller, with the third turning in a 115-113 card. Miller improved to 28-1-2 with 22 knockouts. Pero fell to 13-1, suffering the first loss of his professional career.

    The win positions Miller as the WBA mandatory challenger, putting him in line for a shot at unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk or, depending on how the picture shakes out, Daniel Dubois.

    Volume Carries the Night

    Miller and Pero combined to throw 1,652 punches in what ESPN described as a toe-to-toe slugfest. Miller alone threw 1,003, landing 290, per CompuBox. Pero was the more accurate man at 39 percent to Miller’s 29 percent, but he could not match the Brooklyn fighter’s pressure or volume.

    Pero started fast, using his southpaw jab and clean counters to outbox Miller from range through the early rounds. Miller, who weighed 305 pounds to Pero’s 251, turned the fight into a phonebooth brawl from the third round on, walking the Cuban down to the ropes and trading on the inside.

    By the 11th round, an exhausted Pero was barely able to come out of his corner. He tried to rally midway through the 12th, but Miller closed the fight strong, trading power shots until the final bell. No knockdowns were scored.

    Miller Wants Wilder Next

    Miller wasted little time once he had the microphone, naming Tyson Fury, Wilder, and Pero’s brother Dainier Pero as targets. Wilder, who returned this month with a controversial split decision over Derek Chisora, drew the most pointed words.

    “Deontay, he said a long time ago that he doesn’t want to fight ‘Big Baby’ because I hurt his feelings,” Miller told DAZN. “If you don’t shut your pie a** up and come fight me, boy, we’re going to see.”

    Promoter Eddie Hearn quickly endorsed the matchup.

    “For me, when I look at the fights in the division, as a promoter, you want a fight with great build-up, you want a fight with jeopardy,” Hearn said. “The American fight is Deontay Wilder against Jarrell Miller. Run it in New York.”

    Miller, 37, has now strung together back-to-back wins for the first time since 2022, building on the form he showed in Saturday’s WBA eliminator main event. Asked about his trimmer appearance, he kept it light: “Every time I drop five pounds, I get to eat a cheesesteak.”

    His preferred next move, he said, is a slot on the Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis card on June 27 in Brooklyn.

  • Wilder Edges Chisora by Split Decision in London Slugfest

    Wilder Edges Chisora by Split Decision in London Slugfest

    Deontay Wilder won a split decision over Derek Chisora on Saturday at The O2 Arena in London, taking their 12-round DAZN pay-per-view main event by scores of 115-111, 112-115, and 115-113.

    It was the 50th professional fight for both men, and the bout lived up to its billing as a power-punching heavyweight brawl. Chisora, who weighed in at 266.7 pounds on Friday, pressed the action throughout, working the body and throwing wide hooks. Wilder used his reach and jab to control distance but struggled to find clean shots early.

    Wilder scored knockdowns in the fourth and eighth rounds, both with his trademark right hand. The eighth-round sequence was the fight’s defining moment, as Wilder backed Chisora into a corner and unloaded. Chisora survived both times and continued fighting back. Wilder also had a point deducted during a chaotically officiated bout.

    The win was only the second decision victory of Wilder’s career, moving his record to 45-4-1 (43 KOs). Chisora drops to 36-14 (23 KOs).

    Wilder Calls for Compassion, Eyes Title Run

    Post-fight, Wilder said he pulled back in the later rounds after noticing swelling around Chisora’s temple. “Too many lives have been lost in this ring, nobody gives a damn about us,” Wilder told DAZN. “Us fighters have to look out for each other.”

    Wilder also said he is targeting another title run, calling the fight “magnificent” and inviting Chisora to go fishing in Alabama. With back-to-back wins now under his belt, a potential matchup with Anthony Joshua could be next on the radar.

    Chisora Teases Retirement, Leaves Door Open

    Chisora had said before the fight that this would be his final bout, but he declined to commit to retirement afterward. He thanked fans for supporting his career since he arrived in the UK at age 16 and started boxing, but stopped short of saying it was over for good.

    Full Card Results

    • Deontay Wilder def. Derek Chisora, split decision (115-111, 112-115, 115-113)
    • Viddal Riley def. Mateusz Masternak, unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 119-109) — wins European cruiserweight title
    • Denzel Bentley def. Endry Saavedra, TKO Round 7 — wins WBO interim middleweight title
    • Matty Harris def. Franklin Ignatius, KO Round 2
    • Amir Anderson def. Jordan Dujon, TKO Round 8
    • Ashton Sylve def. Raul Antonio Galaviz Hernandez, unanimous decision (80-72, 80-72, 78-74)
    • Jermaine Dhliwayo def. Jake Morgan, TKO Round 7
    • Dan Toward def. Misael Da Veiga, TKO Round 3
  • Wilder vs. Chisora Preview: Full Card, Odds, How to Watch

    Wilder vs. Chisora Preview: Full Card, Odds, How to Watch

    Deontay Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs) and Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs) collide Saturday, April 4 at the O2 Arena in London. It’s the 50th professional fight for both men, and the stakes couldn’t look more different. For Chisora, it’s a farewell. For Wilder, it’s supposed to be a relaunch.

    The main card streams on DAZN PPV beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Ring walks for the main event are expected around 5 p.m. ET (10 p.m. BST).

    What’s at Stake

    Chisora has called this his retirement fight, and he’s earned the right to frame it that way. The 42-year-old Londoner rides a three-fight win streak into his home arena, with decision victories over Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin giving him legitimate momentum heading into his final bout.

    Wilder, 40, needs this fight to mean something beyond a payday. The former WBC heavyweight champion has gone 2-4 since losing the title to Tyson Fury in 2020, with losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang raising serious questions about what’s left. His June 2025 stoppage of Tyrrell Herndon got him back in the win column, but the level of opposition didn’t answer much.

    A convincing win could set up a potential summer fight with Oleksandr Usyk, who has publicly expressed interest in adding Wilder to his resume before he retires. But Wilder would need to look the part, not just survive.

    The Matchup

    The dynamic is straightforward. Chisora pressures, throws volume, and wears opponents down over 12 rounds. Wilder hunts for one shot. If the fight goes long, it favors Chisora. If it doesn’t, Wilder probably found the right hand.

    Wilder has a new head trainer in Don House, who replaced Malik Scott ahead of the Herndon fight. Wilder described Scott as a “brother” and credited him for helping through a difficult stretch, but the change signals a desire for a fresh approach. House has trained over 28 champions across boxing and MMA.

    The concern with Wilder goes beyond the record. His punch output has dropped significantly in recent fights, he absorbed heavy punishment against Zhang, and at 40 years old, the physical decline is harder to reverse. Even Chisora has acknowledged the toll the Fury trilogy took on Wilder.

    Betting Odds

    Chisora is the favorite at -190 on DraftKings Sportsbook. Wilder is the underdog at +150. The over/under is set at 8.5 rounds, with the over at -125 and the under at -110. A knockout finish is expected by most books regardless of the winner.

    Full Fight Card (DAZN PPV)

    Main Event: Derek Chisora vs. Deontay Wilder, Heavyweight, 12 rounds

    Co-Main: Viddal Riley (13-0) vs. Mateusz Masternak (50-6), IBF World Cruiserweight Title Eliminator

    Undercard:

    Denzel Bentley vs. Endry Saavedra, Interim WBO World Middleweight Title

    Matty Harris vs. Franklin Ignatius, Heavyweight

    Amir Anderson vs. Jordan Dujon, Middleweight

    Dan Toward vs. Misael Da Veiga, Super Welterweight

    Jermaine Dhliwayo vs. Jake Morgan

    Ashton Sylve vs. Tony Galaviz, Super Lightweight

    Tom Welland vs. Alexander Morales

    How to Watch

    The event streams exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view. In the U.S., the main card starts at 2 p.m. ET. A DAZN subscription is required. The fight can be accessed via the DAZN app on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, game consoles, and web browsers.

  • Oleksandr Usyk Decision Could Block Kabayel-Itauma WBC Title Fight

    Oleksandr Usyk Decision Could Block Kabayel-Itauma WBC Title Fight

    Oleksandr Usyk might be the only obstacle preventing Moses Itauma from securing the fastest route to a WBC heavyweight title opportunity. The unbeaten British contender could find himself a step away from championship contention this summer. However, that is possibly only if the division’s current ruler decides against facing the mandatory challenger next.

    Usyk holds the WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles with an undefeated record of 24-0 with 15 knockouts. The Ukrainian champion is ranked number one pound-for-pound by both The Ring and ESPN.

    WBC Interim Title Picture

    Agit Kabayel currently holds the WBC interim heavyweight championship. A potential matchup between Kabayel and Itauma for the interim title could take place in Germany if Usyk opts to face a different opponent for his next defense.

    Moses Itauma recently broke into ESPN’s top five heavyweight rankings after his knockout victory over Jermaine Franklin Jr. The rising contender has positioned himself as a legitimate threat in the division.

    Title Path Depends on Usyk

    According to World Boxing News, Usyk’s decision on his mandatory challenger will determine whether the Kabayel-Itauma fight moves forward. If Usyk chooses to face Kabayel next, the interim champion would be elevated to full challenger status, removing the opportunity for Itauma to compete for the interim belt.

    The WBC heavyweight division remains in flux as Usyk weighs his options for his next title defense. Any announcement from the undisputed champion’s camp could reshape the immediate future for both Kabayel and Itauma.