Main Character of Thursday, 23 July 2026

Anthony Joshua is a British heavyweight boxer and former world champion known for his dominant performances in the ring and his prominent status in global boxing. He has been a major figure in heavyweight boxing for over a decade, competing at the highest levels of the sport.

Around late July 2026, Joshua was in the news as he prepared for a comeback fight against Kristian Prenga on 23 July, serving as a warm-up bout before an eagerly anticipated all-British clash with Tyson Fury scheduled for late 2026. However, Joshua was preparing for this return amid personal tragedy—he stated he was not yet ready for the loss of two close friends and team members to "sink in." During this period, he also revealed that Oleksandr Usyk's team had encouraged him to "show greatness" as the two heavyweight rivals trained together.

The proposed Joshua-Fury showdown, signed three months earlier, remained mired in uncertainty despite its significance as a potential career-defining contest for both fighters. The pair had traded insults, with fresh doubts emerging about whether the fight would materialise later that year. Negotiations were reportedly continuing regarding the date and venue, with suggestions of an unconventional 2am slot at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, Fury was also preparing with his own warm-up bout against Mariusz Wach in Thailand on 23 July.