Anthony Joshua vs Prenga: Joshua survives two knockdowns, wins by KO
Anthony Joshua was floored twice in Round 1 before stopping Kristian Prenga in Round 2 in Saudi Arabia, ESPN reported.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Anthony Joshua vs Prenga turned wild in seconds: ESPN reported that Joshua was knocked down twice in the opening round, then came back to stop Kristian Prenga in Round 2 on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
The win was Joshua’s first fight of the year and his return to the ring after a difficult stretch outside it. ESPN said the result keeps him on course for a planned meeting with Tyson Fury later this year, although no date or location has been announced.
What happened in Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga?
According to ESPN, Prenga landed a right hand almost immediately after the opening bell, sending the former two-time heavyweight champion to the canvas. Joshua got up quickly, but ESPN reported he looked shaky through the rest of the round and touched down again before the bell.
Joshua steadied himself in the second round. ESPN reported that he worked behind his jab, caught Prenga with a right hand, then pressed forward and landed another heavy right that dropped Prenga against the ropes.
The fight was then stopped, giving Joshua a Round 2 knockout victory in his comeback bout.
What did Joshua say after the knockout?
Asked afterward about Fury, Joshua said: “Where is he? There’s two sides to this. Fire. And respect. I respect everything he’s done. We’re here now.”
Joshua was also asked how badly he had been hurt in the first round. He replied: “I am still here to talk to you now! He is a strong guy, you know. He is going to do well, he has a bright future.”
He added: “I am a serious fighter, I know my way around the ring. He came and gave me a good test. But this is what champions do. We keep going, that’s life.”
Where does Tyson Fury fit in?
ESPN reported there had been speculation that Joshua vs. Fury could be formally announced Saturday, but Fury did not enter the ring and the fight still has no confirmed date or venue.
Fury had fought the day before, beating Mariusz Wach in Thailand, according to ESPN. Joshua’s win means the long-discussed British heavyweight fight remains targeted for later this year.
Joshua’s emotional return after tragedy
ESPN reported that Joshua’s victory came seven months after he was a passenger in a car crash that killed two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. Their names were honored on the ring canvas.
Before the fight, Joshua had said boxing was his “purpose” and that he wanted to support the families of his friends, according to ESPN.
Speaking after the win, Joshua became emotional as he said: “It’s more than punch power. That was spirit, that was Latz, Sina. It hurts even talking about it. They are my brothers.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “No-one can imagine what he’s been through. In the first round I said: ‘We have come back too soon.’ He needed boxing to get through this. The camp allowed him to focus his mind when he was going through grief.”
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.