Anthony Joshua is now set for an all British heavyweight fight with Tyson Fury after surviving two first round knockdowns against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
This was Joshua’s first fight after the December 2025 car crash that claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele in Nigeria
The British heavyweight was knocked down twice in the first round before recovering to dramatically stop Prenga in the second round.
The former champion carried the names of Ghami and Ayodele on his chest and walked to the ring alongside his entire team in a quiet show of unity.
The canvas also carried their names alongside the words ‘My Brother’s Keeper’.
Just 20 seconds into the fight, a right uppercut from Prenga sent Joshua crashing to the canvas and stunned the arena.
However, Joshua smiled as he climbed to his feet.
Prenga, who arrived with 20 knockouts from his 20 victories but little profile even with boxing’s hardcore followers, sensed an opportunity.
Promoter Eddie Hearn barked instructions from ringside, while Joshua stablemate Oleksandr Usyk watched on with a look of concern.
A left uppercut later in the round dumped Joshua on the canvas again.
The British heavyweight was still unsteady at the start of the second round and appeared to be there for the taking, but Prenga surprisingly began to box off the back foot and let the Watford fighter off the hook.
Joshua capitalised and using his years of experience – and perhaps the emotion – he drew Prenga on to a jab before uncorking a crushing right hand.
Prenga collapsed to the canvas as more right punches followed and the referee had seen enough.
This was 35-year-old Prenga’s second loss in his career.
It was Joshua’s first test against a recognised professional opponent since Daniel Dubois stopped him in September 2024.
His only fight since had come against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December, 10 days before the fatal crash that left him injured.
Joshua passed the Prenga test, but not in the manner anyone expected. It was not the destructive, free-flowing champion who once swept opponents aside.
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