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League: BoxingSport: BoxingCountry: GlobalCategory: General

Joshua escapes two knockdowns, secures KO victory over Prenga

Al Jazeera English • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 11:12 PM

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

Joshua escapes two knockdowns, secures KO victory over Prenga
Summary

Anthony Joshua returned to the ring on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, overcoming two knockdowns to score a knockout win against Kristian Prenga in Round 2. The fight began dramatically with Joshua falling to the canvas early after a powerful uppercut. Despite the setbacks, he turned the tide in the second round, landing a decisive right hand that ended the contest. This fight marked Joshua's first since a tragic car crash in December that claimed the lives of his friends. Following the victory, discussions around a potential matchup with Tyson Fury continue, although details remain unresolved.

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Status Watch
  • •Joshua was knocked down twice in the first round.
  • •He recovered to stop Prenga in the second round.
  • •This was Joshua's first fight since December's tragic car crash.
  • •Fury was rumored to attend but was absent from the event.
  • •Contracts for a future fight with Fury have been signed, but dates are still uncertain.
Latest Updates
  • 6:40 AMAl Jazeera English — Joshua comes back twice to knock out Prenga and set up Fury showdown - Al Jazeera
  • 6:37 AMYahoo Sports — Joshua comes back twice to knock out Prenga and set up Fury showdown
  • 11:59 PMESPN — Joshua survives 2 knockdowns, KOs Prenga in 2
  • 11:18 PMYahoo Sports — Joshua knocked down twice in dramatic win
  • 11:17 PMYahoo Sports — Joshua storms back from two knockdowns to stop Prenga in round 2
  • 11:06 PMBBC Sport — Joshua knocked down twice in dramatic win
What they're saying
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Former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to knock out Kristian Prenga in the second round of a dramatic non-title heavyweight fight on Saturday. Joshua was flattened by an uppercut inside 30 seconds. Then Prenga laid out Joshua again, and again Joshua rose before the end of the count and survived to the bell.

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Anthony Joshua marked his return to the ring with a dramatic Round 2 knockout victory over Kristian Prenga on Saturday.

— ESPNby James Regan
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Anthony Joshua survives two knockdowns by Albania’s Kristian Prenga before winning the fight in the second round.

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