Anthony Joshua Knockouts Prenga In Round Two To Secure Emotional Comeback Win

Anthony Joshua made a triumphant return to the ring on Saturday night, overcoming early adversity to stop Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in the second round of their clash in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in his first fight since the tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close associates.

The former two-time heavyweight champion had not fought since the December 2025 crash that killed long-time team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. Fighting with emotion throughout the contest, Joshua dedicated the victory to the pair, whom he regarded as family.

The 36-year-old endured a disastrous opening when Prenga floored him with a crisp uppercut less than 20 seconds into the bout. The Albanian continued his dominance and sent Joshua to the canvas again before the end of the first round, leaving the British-Nigerian facing an uphill task.

Joshua, however, showed remarkable determination to turn the fight around. After weathering the early storm, he regained control behind a sharp jab before unleashing a barrage of heavy punches that pinned Prenga against the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the contest in the second round.

Fighting back tears after the victory, Joshua paid an emotional tribute to his late friends.

“That was more than punch power. It was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina. It’s been tough,” Joshua said. “It hurts me talking about it.”

The victory also moved Joshua a step closer to a long-awaited showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury after promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that contracts for the fight have already been signed.

While an official venue and date are yet to be announced, Wembley Stadium is widely expected to host the blockbuster encounter later this year.

Joshua also addressed the prospect of facing Fury, expressing admiration for his rival’s achievements while insisting the time has finally come for both men to resolve one of boxing’s most anticipated rivalries inside the ring.

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Hearn hailed the performance as one of the defining moments of Joshua’s career, revealing the emotional challenges the former world champion overcame during training following the devastating loss of his close friends.

The comeback victory restores Joshua’s standing among the heavyweight elite and builds momentum towards a potential clash with Fury, a contest many regard as one of the biggest fights in modern boxing.