Joshua vs. Prenga, hard-hitting Muay Thai action, and Spence returns: The combat sports you need to watch on DAZN this week

It is another weekend packed with intrigue across the combat sports landscape. Here are five fights you need to watch this week.

Anthony Joshua begins the road to Tyson Fury

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Anthony Joshua's long-awaited return headlines a huge night of boxing in Jeddah as the former two-time heavyweight world champion steps back into the ring for the first time since December.

Standing opposite him is Kristian Prenga, the hard-hitting Albanian who arrives in Saudi Arabia riding a remarkable 16-fight knockout streak and looking to produce the biggest upset of his career.

For Joshua, the stakes extend well beyond Saturday night's main event. Victory would move the British star a step closer to a blockbuster showdown with longtime rival Tyson Fury, with the pair on course to finally meet later this year in one of boxing's most anticipated heavyweight clashes.

Joshua's fight with Prenga will take place on Saturday, July 25 at the Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

This contest and the rest of the fight card will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV and Ultimate. 

DAZN's PPV broadcast will begin at 6pm BST / 1pm ET / 10am PT, with Joshua and Prenga set to make their ringwalks at 10.52pm BST / 5.52pm ET / 2.52pm PT. These timings are subject to change. 

• Date: Saturday, July 25
• Start time: 6pm BST / 1pm ET / 10am PT
• Joshua vs. Prenga main event ringwalks (approx): 10.52pm BST / 5.52pm ET / 2.52pm PT

Errol Spence Jr. returns after three-year layoff

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After three years in the boxing wilderness, Errol Spence Jr. finally returns this weekend in one of the most intriguing fights of the year.

The former unified welterweight world champion travels to Sydney to face Tim Tszyu, taking on the Australian in a high-risk comeback bout that could reinvogorate the American's career. It is Spence's first appearance since his defeat to Terence Crawford in 2023, and after such a lengthy absence there are inevitable questions over whether one of boxing's finest talents can still compete at the very highest level.

Standing in his way is Tszyu, a former world champion who will have home support behind him and knows victory over a fighter of Spence's calibre would represent the biggest win of his career. The bout is also backed by a strong undercard featuring Stephen Fulton against Liam Wilson, as well as Ahmad Reda versus Paul Fleming.

For Spence, the stakes could hardly be higher. A statement victory would thrust 'The Truth' back into the world title conversation after three years away from the sport. Another defeat, however, would inevitably raise questions over whether one of boxing's most accomplished fighters has reached the end of his championship journey. 

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu will take place on  Sunday, July 26, with the whole card live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

The main broadcast will begin at 11:00am AEST, with ringwalks for the headline bout expected around 1:30pm AEST, in order to meet an American audience on Saturday, July 25.

• Date: Sunday, July 26
• Time: 9.00pm ET (Saturday) / 6.00pm PT (Saturday) / 2.00am BST / 11:00am AEST
• Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu main event ringwalks (approx): 11.30pm ET (Saturday) / 8.30pm PT (Saturday) / 4.30am BST / 1:30pm AEST

Can anyone stop Chalarm Paranchai?

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While boxing dominates the headlines this weekend, fans can also catch world-class Muay Thai live and free on DAZN as Rajadamnern World Series returns to Bangkok. Better still, the action gets underway at 1:10pm BST, meaning fight fans can enjoy an afternoon of elite striking before Anthony Joshua and Errol Spence Jr. take centre stage later in the weekend.

The main event sees Chalarm Paranchai defend the Rajadamnern Stadium Super Featherweight World Championship for a fourth time against fast-rising challenger Yodkatanyu Jitmuangnon.

Chalarm enters the contest as one of the most dominant champions in Rajadamnern today. He has held the title since June 2024, is the second-longest reigning active stadium champion behind Daniel Rodriguez and has not lost a fight at super featherweight for seven years. Standing opposite him is a challenger with plenty of momentum after Yodkatanyu rebuilt from his first Rajadamnern title defeat by winning five of his last six bouts to earn another shot at championship gold.

Fans of hard-hitting combat sports action truly have to look no further...

The supporting card offers plenty more for combat sports fans. Former Rajadamnern Stadium world champions Petchthongchai Sor. Sommai and Sajad Sattari collide in a high-stakes contest that could determine the next challenger for the Rajadamnern Welterweight World Championship. The Iranian has established himself as one of Muay Thai's leading international stars and knows victory over the 2024 tournament winner would move him a step closer to another world title opportunity.

Elsewhere, Uganda's Award Kazimba, China's Wang Xianjing, American Brandol Mendoza and Argentina's Daniela Lopez all feature on one of RWS' most international cards of the year, showcasing the global reach of a promotion that continues to attract elite talent from around the world.

With a world title on the line, a clash between two former champions and an international seven-fight card, RWS offers the perfect way for combat sports fans to begin a packed weekend of action on DAZN.

Can Josh Kelly continue his world title reign?

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Few British fighters have divided opinion quite like Josh Kelly.

Long regarded as one of the country's most naturally gifted boxers, the Sunderland stylist has spent years rebuilding after suffering the only defeat of his professional career. Now, with the IBF super welterweight world title around his waist, Kelly has the chance to prove he belongs among boxing's elite.

His first defence comes against unbeaten Irishman Caoimhín Agyarko, who enters the biggest fight of his career determined to spoil the party. Agyarko has quietly compiled an impressive undefeated record and knows victory over a reigning world champion would transform his career overnight.

For Kelly, however, this is about far more than a successful title defence. After years of promise, setbacks and criticism, he has finally reached the summit of the sport. Defeating Agyarko would be another significant step towards establishing himself as one of the leading names in the division and setting up even bigger unification opportunities.

Taking place on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga, the bout adds another world title contest to one of the year's biggest boxing events and gives British fight fans another compelling reason to tune in.

Can Hamzah Sheeraz cement himself among boxing's elite?

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Winning a world title is one thing. Proving you belong at the top is another.

After becoming WBO super middleweight world champion, Hamzah Sheeraz begins the next chapter of his career with the first defence of his title against unbeaten German Simon Zachenhuber.

Sheeraz has long been regarded as one of British boxing's brightest talents, but his emphatic victory to capture world honours elevated him into the conversation as one of the sport's newest stars. Now comes the challenge every champion faces: backing it up against a hungry challenger with everything to gain.

Zachenhuber arrives undefeated and carrying the confidence of a fighter who believes this is his moment. The German has steadily climbed the rankings and knows upsetting Sheeraz on one of the biggest cards of the year would instantly establish him on the world stage.

With Anthony Joshua topping the bill and Josh Kelly also defending a world title, Sheeraz's bout forms part of a stacked night of championship boxing. Another convincing performance would further enhance the unbeaten Briton's growing reputation and move him closer to the blockbuster fights that await the division's biggest names.