Anthony Joshua Knocked Down Twice, Stops Prenga in Second Round 2026

Anthony Joshua survived two shocking knockdowns in the first round to stop Kristian Prenga with a devastating knockout in the second round early Sunday morning in Jeddah. The wild heavyweight bout was a tune-up for Joshua's much-anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury later this year. Joshua entered the ring lighter than ever at 251 pounds and with new guidance from former rival Oleksandr Usyk's trainers, but the opening moments nearly derailed his entire career.

First Round Chaos: Joshua Knocked Down Twice

Within 20 seconds, the unheralded Prenga floored Joshua with a crunching right uppercut. Joshua got up quickly but looked dazed. Halfway through the round, Prenga caught him again, sending Joshua to the canvas for a second time. The crowd in Jeddah fell silent as Joshua struggled to regain his footing. This was a far cry from the sharp, sleek fighter Joshua had promised to be.

The Comeback in Round Two

In the second round, Joshua unleashed a brutal knockout that left Prenga crumpled against the ropes. Referee Steve Gray waved off the contest immediately. Joshua pulled himself from the brink of humiliation to salvage his career and secure the Fury fight. The victory was emotional for Joshua, who was boxing for the first time since a car accident that killed two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, last December.

Key Takeaways from the Fight

• Joshua's resilience was on full display after two first-round knockdowns.
• The new training partnership with Usyk’s corner provided tactical adjustments in between rounds.
• Prenga’s surprising power proved he belongs on the world stage, but his stamina faded.
• Joshua’s improved technique at a lighter weight allowed him to finish the fight decisively.

What This Means for Joshua vs. Fury

The win keeps Joshua on track for a November showdown with Tyson Fury. However, the two knockdowns raise questions about Joshua's chin and durability against a puncher like Fury. Yet his ability to recover and adapt signals that the heavyweight division remains wide open. Joshua said after the fight, “I’ll be better next time. I needed this test.”

FAQ

This crazy firefight of a tune-up ended with Joshua’s hand raised, but the path to Fury just got more interesting. Fans will be watching closely to see if Joshua can shore up his defensive weaknesses before the biggest fight of his career.