Boxing
Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga The venue moves to Jeddah
Published
4 months agoon
Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga came face to face for the first time at a press conference in London on Monday, during which organizers confirmed that the heavyweight fight, which will take place on July 25, has been moved to Saudi Arabia. The fight, originally announced for Riyadh, will now take place at the Jeddah Superdome and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
No reason for the change was given during the event. The card was loosely related to the Esports World Cup, which had recently been moved from Riyadh to Paris due to the conflict in the Middle East, according to The Independent.. Jeddah is approximately 950 kilometers from Riyadh. Joshua has fought in both cities, including suffering a rematch loss to Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah in 2022 and beating Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou in Riyad.
HE Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, said the fight has attracted increasing global interest since its announcement, pointing to the “increasing global interest in events hosted by the Kingdom.” The card is titled “The Comeback” and is presented as part of Jeddah Calendar in collaboration with Riyadh Season.
The fight will be Joshua’s first appearance since December, when he defeated Jake Paul in six rounds in Miami. About ten days after this fight, Joshua survived a car accident in Nigeria that killed two members of his team, strength coach Sina Ghami and coach Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Joshua (29-4, 26 KO), 36, enters with a clear advantage of experience. Prenga (20-1, 20 KO), a 35-year-old Albanian based in Englewood, Fresh Jersey, turned professional in 2016 and has stopped every opponent he has defeated.
Joshua concentrates
Joshua started by thanking Alalshikh for taking the fight and said he was focused on one goal. “I have a clear goal and I fully understand the challenge ahead of me,” he said, adding that he believes he is in the best possible shape ahead of the competition. “On July 25, the best man will win.”
He described boxing as “both my profession and my passion” and said working at the camp made him stronger. The fight is widely seen as a build-up to a contracted fight with Tyson Fury later this year, with reports indicating it will take place at Wembley Stadium in October or November. Fury is planning his own warm-up event in August and has said he would like the show to take place in Dublin.
Prenga seizes the opportunity
Prenga, who had never fought in a main event of this magnitude, adopted a respectful tone. “I have great respect for Anthony Joshua and everything he has achieved in boxing,” he said, calling Joshua a “great fighter.” He then referred to the fight as his window. “Everyone has their moment and I believe this is mine,” he said, adding that he had “never trained with this level of focus and determination before.” He vowed to deliver a “statement performance that will surprise the world” in Jeddah on July 25.
Hearn announces return
Promoter Eddie Hearn used the launch event to present Joshua’s return in both a personal and professional context, set against the deaths of his team-mates and his recovery from the accident. “Boxing is his purpose, boxing is his peace,” Hearn said, describing a fighter he believes is more determined and focused than at any previous stage of his career. He called the comeback one of the biggest comebacks in the sport, warning that Prenga has the power to derail the anticipated fight with Fury.
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Boxing
Tim Tszyu Set for World Title Shot Against Boxings Oldest Champion After Victory Over Spence
Published
42 minutes agoon
October 12, 2026
Tim Tszyu is reportedly set to enter a major title fight next month, bidding to become a two-division world champion at 160lbs.
The Australian has decided to remain at middleweight following his last outing, against Errol Spence Jr, which resulted in a unanimous decision victory on home soil.
While many had anticipated a more competitive affair in July, it ended up being largely one-sided, with Tszyu winning convincingly and sending his opponent into retirement.
In doing so, the 31-year-old claimed his most significant win since 2023, when he outpointed Brian Mendoza for the WBO super-welterweight title following back-to-back stoppages of Tony Harrison and Carlos Ocampo.
Tszyu would then suffer stoppage defeats to Bakhram Murtazaliev and Sebastian Fundora, but now looks to join the world title scene at 160lbs.
According to Fox Sportshe is expected to return in late November and face WBA champion Erislandy Lara, who has not fought since scoring two knockdowns and unanimously outpointing Johan Gonzalez last December.
Prior to that, the Cuban retained his middleweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of Danny Garcia and, at the age of 43, is currently the sport’s oldest reigning world champion.
At his best, Lara is a highly-skilled southpaw with deceptive power but, due to his age and lack of activity, is rarely mentioned as one of boxing’s leading pound-for-pound operators.
Tszyu could therefore dethrone the 40-fight veteran in Australia next month, with Jermell Charlo reportedly set to feature on the undercard after having not fought since his wide points defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023.
Boxing
Canelo Alvarez Confirms Decision on Mbilli Fight as Security Concerns Threaten Comeback Plans
Published
13 hours agoon
October 11, 2026
The highly anticipated October 31 showdown between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli has faced mounting speculation in recent weeks, with growing concerns that the entire card could be pulled – or at least moved – from Saudi Arabia.
The fight marks Canelo’s return to the ring following his loss to Terence Craford last September – just his third defeat of his career.
He has landed an immediate shot at one of his old belts against Mbilli, who was elevated from interim to full champion when Crawford retired.
Set to headline the Mexico vs The World card at The Venue in Riyadh, the bout has been overshadowed in recent weeks by escalating regional hostilities, including drone strikes near the Saudi capital by Houthi rebels. Today, King Khalid airport was struck again.
The U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on October 5. The advisory cautioned American citizens to remain vigilant, immediately sparking rumours across the boxing world that the event could be abruptly relocated to Las Vegas in November.
There has been silence on the issue from the promotion, and even an official undercard announcement last week.
Today, boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh posted online to confirm that Canelo still wants the event to go ahead.
“Canelo reached out and told me he’ll still fight in Riyadh this October, no matter what happens.
“He fears nothing. My country is home to the two Holy Mosques, land of peace, safety, rich civilization, deep history, and kind-hearted people.
“Thank you to everyone who checked in and showed support. Hard times reveal true friends.”
Whether or not this encourages fans remains to be seen, with an increasing number still calling for the fight to be moved.
The decision locks in what is arguably the most crucial fight of Canelo’s recent career. After undergoing elbow surgery early this year, it is a must-win for Alvarez, who has hopes of becoming undisputed once more before retiring.
Boxing
Wilfredo Gomez, Legendary Boxer, Dies at 69 Leaving Behind an Historic Legacy
Published
18 hours agoon
October 11, 2026
Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez, the Puerto Rican three-division world champion whose 17 successful super bantamweight title defenses all ended by knockout, died Saturday, October 10, at age 69.
His son, Wilfredo Gomez Jr., confirmed his death to Telemundo Puerto Rico, which reported that Gomez had spent approximately two weeks hospitalized with respiratory complications. He died around 9 p.m., with the family expected to release further details Sunday.
Gomez’s place in boxing history rests most firmly on his extraordinary run at 122 pounds. He finished his career with a 44-3-1 record and 42 knockouts, winning world titles at super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight. He entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.
Born in San Juan on October 29, 1956, Gomez represented Puerto Rico at the 1972 Munich Olympics and won amateur world championship gold in Havana in 1974. His professional championship career began in May 1977, when he recovered from an early knockdown to stop Dong Kyun Yum in the 12th round for the WBC super bantamweight title.
The nickname “Bazooka” suited his punching power, but Gomez brought more than heavy hands. His combinations, timing, and ability to create openings made him dangerous against opponents who could punch themselves.
Carlos Zarate discovered that in October 1978. The Mexican bantamweight champion entered their fight with 52 victories, no defeats, and 51 knockouts. Gomez stopped him in five rounds, producing one of the defining victories of his career and a memorable chapter in the Puerto Rico–Mexico rivalry.
His December 1982 fight with Lupe Pintor showed another side of his greatness. With his eyes swollen and his energy fading, Gomez had to keep fighting through a punishing contest in New Orleans. He stopped Pintor in the 14th round, completing his 17th successful defense at 122 pounds. That victory required endurance and courage alongside the power that had made him famous.
Moving through the divisions also brought defeats. Salvador Sanchez handed Gomez his first professional loss in 1981. Gomez nevertheless went on to win championships at 126 and 130 pounds, adding to a career already exceptional for his dominance at super bantamweight.
The knockout totals explain part of his legacy. The Zarate and Pintor fights explain the rest: Gomez could overwhelm an elite puncher or survive a brutal struggle long enough to finish it. Both remain essential viewing for anyone discovering the fighter behind the “Bazooka” name.

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Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
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