Joshua faces questions after Prenga fight as Fury delivers uninspiring performance
Joshua’s Dramatic Comeback in Jeddah
Anthony Joshua, a former two-time world champion, secured a dramatic knockout victory against Kristian Prenga in the second round of their non-title heavyweight bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The fight, which lasted just over five minutes, saw Joshua recover from two knockdowns before stopping the Albanian opponent. This match was widely considered a crucial step for Joshua before a potential fight against Tyson Fury.
The encounter marked Joshua’s return to the ring after a car accident in Nigeria in December, an incident that resulted in the loss of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, and left Joshua with injuries. He paid tribute to his friends following the fight, stating that his performance was driven by spirit, not just punch power.
The first round proved challenging for Joshua. Within 20 seconds, a sweeping right hand from Prenga rocked him, followed by an uppercut that sent him to the canvas. Joshua managed to beat the count but appeared visibly shaken. Prenga then knocked him down again, though Joshua rose before the count concluded and survived until the bell, ending a tumultuous first round.
During the break between rounds, the dynamic of the fight shifted. Prenga, who had brought a 20-1 fight record with 20 knockouts into the match, did not maintain his aggressive start in the second round. Instead, he allowed Joshua to gain control and unleash a series of punches. Joshua pinned Prenga in a corner, delivering successive combinations before a ferocious right hand ended the fight, sending Prenga through the ropes.
Questions Arise After Performance
Despite the knockout victory, Joshua’s performance raised questions about his punch resistance. Observers noted that he appeared vulnerable whenever Prenga landed a right hand, even without significant force. The initial knockdowns highlighted a concerning lack of stability, with Joshua’s legs appearing unsteady after the first count.
Joshua himself reflected on the experience, describing it as a “tough moment” and a “valuable lesson” to start faster in future bouts. He acknowledged that if Prenga had been more fortunate, the outcome could have been different. The fight was described as a significant “eyeopener” regarding his ability to absorb heavy blows.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, commented on Joshua’s resilience, stating that no one truly understood what Joshua had endured over the past seven months. Hearn admitted that when Joshua went down in the first round, he initially thought Joshua might have returned to the ring too soon after his personal tragedy.
Fury’s Uninspiring Victory and Future Plans
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury also participated in a warm-up bout, beating Mariusz Wach, a 46-year-old Polish heavyweight, in Thailand. Fury’s victory, achieved after seven one-sided rounds, was described as uninspiring. Wach managed to land a few punches on Fury, indicating that Fury might not be the elusive ring technician he once was.
Despite the contrasting performances, the possibility of an all-British fight between Joshua and Fury remains. Hearn confirmed that contracts for a fight between the two had been signed, contingent on their success in their respective warm-up matches. The initial agreement stipulated the fight would take place in the UK in November. However, reports suggest the contest is now widely expected to occur in the US, potentially leading to new contracts and further delays for the highly anticipated showdown.
Joshua’s victory improved his fight record to 30-4 (27 KOs), keeping alive the prospect of the fight with Fury. Fury, who came out of retirement earlier this year, also fulfilled his part of the claimed contract by defeating Wach on Friday night.
Source: theguardian.com