Anthony Joshua delivered one of the most dramatic comebacks of his career on Saturday night, overcoming two first-round knockdowns to stop Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in the second round before breaking down in tears after the fight.
The former unified world heavyweight champion survived a chaotic opening round in Jeddah after being floored twice by the underdog, leaving fans stunned and raising fears of a major upset.
However, Joshua responded with the resilience that has defined his career. Regaining his composure, the British-Nigerian adjusted his range, found his rhythm with the jab and unleashed a devastating attack in the second round.
The contest ended two minutes and 43 seconds into Round 2 after Joshua landed a crisp left jab followed by a thunderous right hand, trapping Prenga against the ropes before unleashing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to wave off the fight.
Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround, Joshua said: “I got through the early danger, adjusted the distance with the jab and executed the combination at the right moment to finish the fight.”
The emotional night took another poignant turn when Joshua was seen in tears after the victory. Reports indicated it was his first fight since losing close friends in Nigeria last year, with the painful memories overwhelming the former champion despite his triumph.
The victory keeps Joshua’s career firmly on track and clears the path for a long-anticipated all-British heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury.
“I fulfilled today’s commitment and the route is clear to finalise the details of the fight against Tyson Fury,” Joshua added.
The dramatic victory not only preserved Joshua’s reputation but also reignited excitement over what promises to be one of the biggest heavyweight clashes in recent boxing history.
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