Anthony Joshua faces early scare, wins by knockout against Kristian Prenga
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 26, 2026, 8:52 PM
Last updated Jul 26, 2026
Anthony Joshua faced a challenging bout against Kristian Prenga on July 23, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Joshua, after being knocked down twice in the first round, managed to secure a victory with a second round knockout. Promoter Eddie Hearn commented on Joshua's performance, indicating he needs to improve to compete effectively against Tyson Fury, suggesting that Joshua's power alone might not be sufficient against stronger opponents. Hearn expressed confidence in Joshua's knockout capabilities but emphasized the necessity for a sharper performance.
- •Joshua wins by second round knockout against Prenga
- •Injured twice in the first round but recovers
- •Hearn comments on competitive potential against Fury
- •No titles at stake during the fight
- •Next for Joshua could be a matchup with Fury
- 8:52 PMYahoo Sports — ‘He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury’: Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua’s Prenga scare
- 8:52 PMBad Left Hook — ‘He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury’: Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua’s Prenga scare
"JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JULY 23: Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, and Anthony Joshua talk ahead of his Heavyweight fight against Kristian Prenga during the Anthony Joshua v Kristian Prenga: The Comeback press conference at Jeddah Promenade on July 23, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images Anthony Joshua winning by second round knockout made plenty of predictions come true on Saturday, but how he got there was another story. Joshua (30-4, 27 KO) had a big scare in the first round, when he was knocked down twice by Prenga (20-2, 20 KO) and just looked like he was on bad legs, before coming back to KO the massive underdog. No titles were on the line, but Joshua’s supposed, long-anticipated, overdue clash with Tyson Fury was. After Fury won his non-threatening tune-up easily on Friday, Joshua struggled more, but they both got the job done. Promoter Eddie Hearn thinks Joshua can still beat Fury even if he fights like he did against Prenga, but admits that Joshua must be better or he’ll be relying only on his power. “He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury, because he’s got the power to knock anyone out,” Hearn said. “But he’s got to be better, because Prenga’s not as good as Tyson Fury. (Prenga) punches way harder, but he ain’t as good as him. So he’s got to be better. “But one thing you will have to do is nail AJ to the canvas to beat him. That’s the reality. Win, lose, or draw, he’s giving you unbelievable drama.” Hearn was also asked if he felt Joshua may have struggled to “get up for” the fight with Prenga, and if he’ll be more motivated to face Fury. “Would he be much sharper against an opponent like Fury? I can’t tell you the answer,” Hearn said. “All I know is he’s going to give you 110 percent. And I stand by, if he hits him on the chin, the fight’s over. And I believe he knocks (Fury) out.”
"Eddie Hearn admits Anthony Joshua has to be better, but feels he can still KO Tyson Fury
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 26, 2026, 8:52 PM‘He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury’: Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua’s Prenga scare
Eddie Hearn admits Anthony Joshua has to be better, but feels he can still KO Tyson Fury
- Bad Left HookJul 26, 2026, 8:52 PM‘He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury’: Eddie Hearn on Anthony Joshua’s Prenga scare
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JULY 23: Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, and Anthony Joshua talk ahead of his Heavyweight fight against Kristian Prenga during the Anthony Joshua v Kristian Prenga: The Comeback press conference at Jeddah Promenade on July 23, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images Anthony Joshua winning by second round knockout made plenty of predictions come true on Saturday, but how he got there was another story. Joshua (30-4, 27 KO) had a big scare in the first round, when he was knocked down twice by Prenga (20-2, 20 KO) and just looked like he was on bad legs, before coming back to KO the massive underdog. No titles were on the line, but Joshua’s supposed, long-anticipated, overdue clash with Tyson Fury was. After Fury won his non-threatening tune-up easily on Friday, Joshua struggled more, but they both got the job done. Promoter Eddie Hearn thinks Joshua can still beat Fury even if he fights like he did against Prenga, but admits that Joshua must be better or he’ll be relying only on his power. “He can fight like that and beat Tyson Fury, because he’s got the power to knock anyone out,” Hearn said. “But he’s got to be better, because Prenga’s not as good as Tyson Fury. (Prenga) punches way harder, but he ain’t as good as him. So he’s got to be better. “But one thing you will have to do is nail AJ to the canvas to beat him. That’s the reality. Win, lose, or draw, he’s giving you unbelievable drama.” Hearn was also asked if he felt Joshua may have struggled to “get up for” the fight with Prenga, and if he’ll be more motivated to face Fury. “Would he be much sharper against an opponent like Fury? I can’t tell you the answer,” Hearn said. “All I know is he’s going to give you 110 percent. And I stand by, if he hits him on the chin, the fight’s over. And I believe he knocks (Fury) out.”
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- Boxing•Jul 28, 2026, 9:43 PMScots fail to sparkle at sodden Scotstoun
- Boxing•Jul 28, 2026, 9:12 PMJake Paul Defends Mike Tyson Fight, Says He Brought Boxing to Netflix
Boxing•Jul 28, 2026, 9:10 PM‘Very disappointing’: Caroline Dubois hasn’t managed to land unification fight- Boxing•Jul 28, 2026, 8:00 PMJake Paul, MVP team up with Eddie Hearn for women’s boxing partnership, sign Skye Nicolson
- Boxing•Jul 28, 2026, 6:00 PMVideo: Ryan Garcia blasts Joe Hendry with guitar, sets up beatdown of Danhausen during odd episode of WWE Raw
Boxing•Jul 28, 2026, 4:04 PMIdi Amin's boxer grandson determined to become new King of Scotland
