Anthony Joshua is once again on track for a highly anticipated showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury later this year, having rebounded from a dramatic early setback to secure a second‑round knockout of Kristian Prenga in Jeddah. The bout began with Joshua experiencing a rough opening three minutes, during which he was sent to the canvas twice. The first knockdown came from a powerful uppercut delivered by the Albanian knockout artist, who seemed intent on delivering a seismic surprise.
Despite the early adversity, Joshua recovered swiftly. Within moments of rising, he unleashed a series of crushing right hands that overwhelmed Prenga, ending the fight decisively in the second round. This victory marks Joshua’s first fight since the tragic car accident in December that claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, a loss that has weighed heavily on him both personally and professionally. In the post‑fight interview, an emotional Joshua dedicated his triumph to his late teammates, stating, "It’s more than just punch power.
That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina, that was the families. It hurts to even talk about it. It has been tough. They were my brothers.
I don’t want to talk about it." His words underscored the deep personal motivation driving his comeback and highlighted the emotional burden he carries into each contest. While Joshua was battling in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury was also making headlines. On the Friday before Joshua’s fight, Fury secured a stoppage victory over Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in a low‑key, non‑televised bout held in Thailand before a modest crowd.
After the win, Fury publicly declared that he would not travel to Saudi Arabia for a potential face‑off with Joshua, instead indicating that a meeting could be arranged for November. This stance set the stage for a possible all‑British heavyweight clash later in the year, a scenario that fans have been yearning for over many years.
Prenga entered the ring with an impressive record: 20 consecutive knockout victories and an unbeaten streak of 16 fights since his first professional loss in February 2017. Although his résumé lacked marquee names, his power and aggressive style posed a genuine threat to Joshua’s ambitions. A surprise upset could have derailed the much‑talked‑about Joshua‑Fury bout, but the Briton’s resilience and experience prevailed.
The win against Prenga marked Joshua’s 30th victory in 34 professional fights and his second consecutive knockout, following a dominant performance against Jake Paul earlier last year, just weeks before the fatal car crash. Looking ahead, the boxing calendar for 2026 is already buzzing with speculation about when the biggest fights will occur.
Streaming platforms such as NOW are promoting contract‑free boxing access, while podcasts like Toe2Toe continue to dissect upcoming match‑ups. Meanwhile, boxing highlight reels are circulating widely, keeping fans engaged during the build‑up period.
With both heavyweight stars having navigated early‑round challenges this weekend, the prospect of an all‑British title clash appears increasingly likely. Contracts have reportedly been signed, and discussions are ongoing about the venue and timing. Some promoters have floated the idea of a 2 a.m.
UK start time at Wembley Stadium to accommodate a global television audience, though Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed a preference for an American location, aligning with fight organiser Turki Al‑Alshikh’s strategic plans. When asked about the potential encounter, Fury questioned whether Joshua possessed the "guts" to face him, a comment that added further intrigue to the narrative.
Should the fight materialise, boxing enthusiasts can expect the culmination of a rivalry that has been teased for years, with many doubting it would ever happen. There were concerns that Joshua might suffer a fifth professional defeat after two losses to Oleksandr Usyk—the same opponent who defeated Fury—as well as setbacks against Daniel Dubois and Andy Ruiz.
The early knockdowns against Prenga sparked those fears anew. However, Joshua’s relentless barrage of heavy punches in the second round turned the tide, securing a decisive win and silencing skeptics. In a post‑fight exchange, Joshua also directed a fierce challenge toward Fury, declaring, "I am going to rip his heart out. I am the meanest and most vicious champion there has ever been!" He quickly added, "All jokes aside, I respect everything he has done and achieved but we are here now.
I hope the fans will be in for a lovely treat." This blend of bravado and respect encapsulated the competitive spirit that will likely define any future encounter between the two heavyweights. Joshua also praised Prenga for his toughness, noting, "He’s a strong guy and I think Eddie [Hearn] wants to sign him now! He is going to do well and has a bright future. Maybe with a bit more experience, he will be up there with the rest of us.
He is strong and durable and gave me a good test, but this is what champions do—we rise. We get knocked down and stand up. That’s life." Such remarks highlighted Joshua’s sportsmanship and his recognition of the hard work required to compete at the elite level. Fans eager to catch more action can look forward to upcoming events such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas, both slated for live broadcast on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event starting at 10 p.m.
on Sunday. For those preferring digital platforms, NOW continues to stream live boxing matches, ensuring that audiences worldwide can stay connected to the sport’s biggest moments as the Joshua‑Fury saga builds toward its climax.