Anthony Joshua secured a second-round knockout victory against Kristian Prenga on July 26 at the Jeddah Superdome. Despite suffering two early knockdowns, the former heavyweight world champion managed to recover and finish the fight, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury.
This performance marked Joshua’s first appearance since a December car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. An emotional Joshua dedicated his comeback to their memory, stating his recovery was driven by spirit and family.
Prenga, an Albanian knockout specialist, dominated the early stages by flooring Joshua twice in the first round. However, Joshua regained his composure in the second round, trapping Prenga in the corner and eventually securing the win with a powerful combination that sent his opponent through the ropes at 2:43.
Following the victory, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that contracts for a bout between Joshua and Fury are finalized. Fury, who recently defeated Mariusz Wach in Thailand, is expected to meet Joshua in November. Joshua expressed both respect for his future opponent and a fierce determination to emerge victorious in their upcoming contest.
