Anthony Joshua survives two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga in comeback fight

Anthony Joshua survived a huge scare before knocking out Kristian Prenga in the second round of his comeback fight in Jeddah.

The 36-year-old was dropped twice in a chaotic opening round, with Prenga catching him with a powerful uppercut inside the first 20 seconds before putting Joshua down again later in the round.

But Joshua quickly regained control.

The former two-time world heavyweight champion responded with a sharp jab before unloading a series of hooks against the ropes, turning the fight around and setting up the second-round finish.

The victory was Joshua’s first since a devastating car crash in Nigeria last December that claimed the lives of his close friends and long-time members of his team, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

An emotional Joshua dedicated the performance to the two men after the fight.

“That was more than punch power. It was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina,” he said.

“It’s been tough. It hurts me talking about it, man.”

Joshua’s attention now turns to a potential blockbuster clash with Tyson Fury, with promoter Eddie Hearn confirming that contracts for the long-awaited all-British showdown have been signed.

A date and venue have yet to be announced, although Wembley Stadium has been heavily touted as a possible location for a November fight.

Joshua, who has repeatedly called for a meeting with Fury, made it clear he is ready for the challenge.

“I am going to rip his heart out. I am the meanest and most vicious champion there has ever been!” he said, echoing the famous words of boxing legend Mike Tyson.

He then struck a more respectful tone towards his fellow Briton.

“All jokes aside, there are two sides to this thing. I respect everything Fury has done and achieved, but as someone who has been calling for this fight for some time, it is here now.

“I hope the fans will be in for a lovely treat.”

For Hearn, Joshua’s victory was a testament to the fighter’s resilience after an incredibly difficult period.

“No one can imagine what he’s been through in these last seven months,” Hearn said.

“In fact, during that first round I was thinking, ‘We came back too soon’.”

Hearn said boxing had provided Joshua with a way to channel his emotions and cope with the grief following the deaths of Ghami and Ayodele.

“Boxing once saved him and he needed boxing to help him get through this,” he added.

Joshua’s comeback may have begun with an early scare, but it ended with a statement.

Now, with contracts reportedly signed, the heavyweight star is one step closer to the fight many have been waiting years to see.