Anthony Joshua survives two knock downs by Albania’s Kristian Prenga earlier than successful the battle within the second spherical.
Printed On 26 Jul 2026
Former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to knock out Kristian Prenga within the second spherical of a dramatic non-title heavyweight battle in Saudi Arabia.
The battle in Jeddah on Saturday was seen because the British boxer’s remaining step earlier than establishing a long-awaited showdown towards his compatriot Tyson Fury.
It additionally marked his return to the ring for the primary time since a horrific automobile crash in Nigeria in December, throughout which Joshua misplaced two of his finest associates and sustained accidents.
Again contained in the ring, Joshua was floored by an uppercut inside 30 seconds. He beat the depend however seemed critically shaken.
Then Prenga knocked Joshua down once more, however the former heavyweight champion rose earlier than the tip of the depend and survived till the bell within the first spherical.
A fast finish to the battle was anticipated, however no person thought it might be Prenga’s.
Within the second spherical, Joshua unleashed a flurry of punches and completed Prenga with a proper hook, sending the Albanian by way of the underside of the ropes.
The turnaround shocked even heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, whose face was caught by TV cameras as he watched from ringside.
The comeback saved alive the potential of an all-British battle between Joshua and Fury.
Joshua’s supervisor Eddie Hearn claims his fighter and Fury have signed a contract to satisfy for the primary time later this 12 months, however on the situation that they arrive by way of warm-up bouts this weekend.
“I hope the followers will likely be in for a beautiful deal with,” Joshua informed the gang about combating Fury following his win over Prenga.
Fury played his part by popping out of retirement this 12 months and, on Friday, forcing 46-year-old Polish journeyman Mariusz Wach to retire in spherical seven in Pattaya, Thailand.
Joshua virtually blew his a part of the claimed contract earlier than showcasing his champion’s fightback spirit.
Prenga introduced a 20-1 battle file with 20 KOs into the match-up with Joshua and seemed each bit the knockout artist.
Joshua, combating for the primary time since surviving the automobile crash that killed his associates Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, acknowledged them straight after enhancing his battle file to 30-4 (27 KOs).
“It’s greater than punch energy,” Joshua mentioned of his knockout punch. “That was spirit. That was Latz and Sina. That was the household. You realize what I imply? That hurts even speaking about it.
“He [Prenga] gave me check, however that is what champions do: we rise. We get knocked down and arise. That’s life; that’s life’s motto.”
