Mayhem erupted at the Jeddah Arena as Anthony Joshua clawed his way back from the jaws of defeat to deliver a thrilling knockout blow in round two against Albanian underdog Kristian Prenga. The drama unfolded with alarming speed, as Joshua's former invincibility was brutally exposed by the unheralded challenger within 20 seconds of the opening bell. A crushing right uppercut sent Joshua crashing to the canvas, followed by another thunderous knockdown just 30 seconds later – it seemed an insurmountable mountain for the Briton to conquer.
Joshua's wobbly knees and swaying stance painted a dire picture as he tottered against the ropes midway through the round. Prenga sensed blood in the water, but ultimately his timing was off. Joshua summoned every last ounce of resilience, mustering enough ferocity to land a defiant counterpunch just before the bell – an ominous warning sign for Prenga.
The stakes were high as Joshua emerged for the second round with renewed purpose and a burning desire to salvage his reputation. It was clear he had one eye on the lucrative showdown against British rival Tyson Fury, scheduled for November, which has been touted as the biggest money-making contest in British boxing history. Prenga, sensing victory within his grasp, inexplicably relaxed, and Joshua pounced with devastating effect – two crushing right hands hurtling him towards a brutal stoppage.
The decisive blow came with just 20 seconds left on the clock, but it was clear Prenga would not survive the count. The referee's intervention spared him further punishment, as Joshua celebrated his remarkable turnaround with an exuberant display of jubilation – climbing onto the ropes to bask in the adoration of a stunned crowd.
The victory capped off a chaotic week that saw Tyson Fury claim a routine win against Polish journeyman Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand. Fury's team had been voicing doubts about the Joshua fight ever happening, with speculation rife over whether it would materialise – despite both fighters standing to earn close to £80 million from the contest.