British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua marked a successful return to the ring on Saturday night with an impressive knockout victory over Kristian Prenga at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia.
The 36-year-old showed remarkable resilience after enduring a difficult opening round. Prenga sent Joshua to the canvas twice within the opening minute, raising doubts about the former world champion’s chances. However, Joshua weathered the storm, regained his composure, and survived until the end of the round.
The fight took a dramatic turn in the second round as Joshua came out with renewed confidence. He unleashed a series of powerful combinations that kept Prenga on the defensive before finishing the contest with a crushing hook that sealed a spectacular knockout victory.
The win is particularly significant for Joshua, as it was his first fight since the tragic road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in December 2025, an incident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends who also served as members of his training team.
With the victory, Joshua’s professional record now stands at 30 wins from 34 fights, including 27 knockouts. For Prenga, the defeat was only the second loss of his professional career.
The triumph also adds another milestone to Joshua’s decorated career, recording his 10th second-round knockout and reinforcing the reputation that made him a two-time unified heavyweight champion.
Attention is now turning to the long-anticipated showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury. The victory strengthens Joshua’s position ahead of the proposed “Battle of Britain,” a blockbuster clash expected to take place later this year, with the official date yet to be confirmed.
