Anthony Joshua Survives Two Knockdowns To Stop Kristian Prenga

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What was billed as a straightforward return for Joshua quickly turned into one of the most dramatic openings of his career. Prenga stunned the former two-time heavyweight champion by flooring him twice in the first round, leaving Joshua badly shaken and scrambling to survive. Joshua held on long enough to hear the bell after showing grit under heavy pressure.

The fight changed completely in the second round.

Joshua came out with greater urgency, established his jab, and began landing the right hand that had been missing during the opening three minutes. Once he found his rhythm, Prenga’s confidence disappeared. Joshua pinned him on the ropes with a series of heavy shots before finishing the job with a crushing combination that forced the referee to stop the contest.

The victory gives Joshua the result he needed after months away from the ring following his car accident, but it also leaves plenty to discuss. Getting dropped twice by an opponent who entered as a sizeable underdog is unlikely to inspire confidence among those already questioning where Joshua stands at this stage of his career.

The dramatic comeback kept plans for a proposed clash with Tyson Fury alive, though the opening round also provided future opponents with a blueprint. Prenga had success by taking the initiative immediately and forcing Joshua into exchanges before he could settle behind his jab.

Joshua ultimately delivered the knockout the crowd came to see, but the first-round scare may become the lasting memory from a fight that raised almost as many questions as it answered.