Joshua vs. Prenga Predictions, Odds & Best Bets – Expert Picks for Jeddah
By Jaren Kawada in Boxing
Published:
- Anthony Joshua returns for the first time in 2026 against Kristian Prenga
- Hamzah Sheeraz and Josh Kelly defend world titles on the undercard
- Check out the best analysis, predictions and bets for the full Joshua vs. Prenga card below
Fighting for the first time since nearly losing his life at the beginning of the year, Anthony Joshua (29-4) returns in an expected tune-up matchup with Kristian Prenga (20-1) in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua is not the only high-level fighter competing on the Riyadh Season event. WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz (23-0-1) attempts the first defense of his world title in the co-main event, as is IBF welterweight king Josh Kelly (18-1-1) before him.
Joshua and Sheeraz are both monstrous favorites to collect victories in the final two fights of the night, while Kelly finds himself in a closer matchup with undefeated title challenger Caoimhin Agyarko (18-0).
Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga Fight Card Odds
Odds as of July 24, 2026. Check out the best boxing betting apps in 2026 to place a wager.
As big of a favorite as Joshua is, Sheeraz is the chalkiest play on the board at -25000. The 27-year-old has a 99.6 percent implied win probability, making him one of the biggest favorites of the year.
Kelly (-575) vs. Agyarko (+379) is the closest-lined fight of the featured bouts, though the champion is still widely expected to retain his title. However, nothing is set in stone, as Kelly is coming off a massive upset win over Bakhram Murtazaliev to win the belt in January.
Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga Best Bet
Everyone is expecting Joshua to roll through Prenga and set up the Tyson Fury fight. He will eventually get there, but it might not come as early as some predict.
Prenga has a decent skill set and fights long with a lot of feints to set up his kill shots. Yet, his record largely overrates his power, with many of his overmatched opponents crumbling to the canvas the second his glove makes meaningful contact. There is a reason Eddie Hearn chose Prenga as the guy his prizefighter and close friend is returning from a major tragedy against.
Still, at his best, ‘AJ’ has always been more patient than he gets credit for. He certainly has one-punch power, but it almost never comes within the first three rounds. Fourteen of Joshua’s last 15 fights have gone over the 3.5-round mark, with the exception being former UFC star Francis Ngannou.
There is always a chance that Joshua detonates Prenga within the first couple of rounds. The Albanian’s chin has never been truly tested, and he is unlikely to handle Joshua’s power well. But given what the former champion is recovering from and what lies ahead, he might take his time a little more than expected.
- Boxing Picks: Joshua vs. Prenga Over 3.5 Rounds (-110)
Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Simon Zachenhuber Prediction
The main event might go a few rounds longer than anticipated, but nobody should get out of their seat for the co-main event. Hamzah Sheeraz has never wasted any time in the ring and has another highlight opportunity gifted to him in his first world title defense.
The 28-year-old Zachenhuber has a frame similar to Sheeraz, but his speed, volume and power are not nearly comparable to those of the champion. Zachenhuber likes fighting at a slower pace against opponents who allow him to lead the dance. Sheeraz only fights at one speed and will not give him that look.
If Sheeraz chose to box Zachenhuber from the outside, he could still win this fight with his speed and superior combination work. That is not the fight he will bring on Saturday. Sheeraz will be in Zachenhuber’s face from the opening bell and will not relent until the challenger quits or his corner has seen enough. Zachenhuber does not have enough volume or power to keep the champion off of him.
So far, all but three of Sheeraz’s knockouts have come within five rounds. Zachenhuber hates feeling pressure and will fold before the midway point of the fifth frame.
- Boxing Picks: Sheeraz vs. Zachenhuber Under 4.5 Rounds (-115)
Josh Kelly vs. Caoimhin Agyarko Prediction
After pulling off a back-and-forth grinder against Bakhram Murtazaliev, Josh Kelly is about to meet his match in Caoimhin Agyarko. The fighters mirror each other’s style almost to a tee, setting the table for a competitive title fight with small margins for error.
As fast and talented as Kelly is, critics have always bashed his low-volume fighting style. Kelly throws just 30.1 punches per round, the fewest of any active world champion and second-fewest among all fighters rated on Compubox. His heavy counter-punching style can lead to many slow and competitive rounds.
Agyarko fights with slightly more volume, though he also prefers to sit back and seek counter opportunities. Like Kelly, the London native rarely looks to end the fight with a single punch. He rather trusts his movement, speed and vision to beat opponents on the scorecards.
The mirroring fight styles will create several close rounds, with the champion doing just a touch more work to steal points. While Agyarko has been squeezing out victories over middling opponents, Kelly has gone to war with superior competition. He has been in this position more often and knows how to gain the edge. Kelly will retain his title on the cards.
- Boxing Picks: Kelly by Decision (-200)
