Joshua’s Dramatic Comeback in Jeddah
Anthony Joshua, a former two-time world champion, experienced a dramatic encounter in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, recovering from two knockdowns to secure a knockout victory against Kristian Prenga in the second round. This non-title heavyweight bout was widely considered a preparatory step for Joshua before a potential fight with Tyson Fury.
The fight marked Joshua’s return to the ring after a car crash in Nigeria in December, an incident that led to the loss of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, and left Joshua with injuries. He acknowledged his friends after the fight, stating, “It’s more than punch power. That was spirit. That was Latz, that was Sina, that was their families.”
The initial moments of the fight were challenging for Joshua. Within 30 seconds of the first round, he was floored by an uppercut. Although he managed to beat the count, he appeared visibly shaken. Prenga then knocked Joshua down a second time, but Joshua again rose before the count concluded and survived the round.
During the first round, a sweeping right hand from Prenga, the first significant punch of the fight, rocked Joshua and positioned him for an uppercut. Reports indicated that Joshua’s punch resistance appeared low, as he tumbled to the canvas. Despite his legs appearing unsteady after taking an eight-count, he was soon in trouble again when a sharp right cross sent him into the ropes. Another uppercut caused him to go down once more, though his gloves only briefly touched the canvas before he was back up.
The turnaround in the fight was unexpected. In the second round, Joshua unleashed a series of punches, ultimately finishing Prenga with a right hook that sent the Albanian through the bottom ropes. This comeback preserved the possibility of an all-British fight between Joshua and Fury.
Concerns Arise Despite Victory
Despite his victory, Joshua’s performance against Prenga raised questions. The encounter lasted just five minutes and 43 seconds, and Joshua later claimed to have learned “a valuable lesson.” He reflected on the experience, stating, “It was a tough moment but I learned a valuable lesson. Start faster. Come out, f*** this boxing, and be ready. You can do it in 20 seconds. If Prenga had a bit more luck on his side, he could have had me out of there.”
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, commented on Joshua’s resilience, saying, “No one knows what he’s been through the last seven months. When he went down in the first round, I thought he’d come back too soon.” Joshua also suggested that the fight was “a real good eyeopener.”
Prenga, who entered the match with a 20-1 fight record, including 20 knockouts, initially seemed to pose a significant threat. However, during the break between rounds, the dynamic shifted. Prenga, instead of pressing his advantage, backed away, allowing Joshua to regain control and begin landing punches. Prenga was eventually pinned in a corner and was unable to offer significant resistance before a powerful right hand from Joshua ended the fight.
Fury’s Uninspiring Performance and Future Plans
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury also participated in a warm-up bout, beating Mariusz Wach, a Polish heavyweight, in Thailand. Fury’s victory, achieved after seven one-sided rounds, was described as uninspiring. Wach managed to land a few punches on Fury, suggesting that Fury’s agility in the ring may have diminished.
Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, confirmed that contracts have been signed for a fight between Joshua and Fury later this year, contingent on their respective warm-up bouts. However, Hearn later conceded that while the signed contracts stipulate the fight will take place in the UK in November, it is now widely anticipated that the contest could be held in the US instead, potentially leading to further delays.
Joshua’s win improved his fight record to 30-4 (27 KOs). He expressed his determination to return stronger, stating, “I’m gonna come back stronger now.”
Source: theguardian.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
