Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), 26 July (LaPresse/AP) – A gruelling first round, in which he was knocked down twice, before a knockout victory in the second. Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua made his return to the ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a bout against the feisty Albanian Kristian Prenga. The match was not a title fight, but was decisive for the highly anticipated super-fight with Tyson Fury. Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, explained that the bout between the two former champions was contingent on both winning their warm-up fights scheduled for this week. Whilst Fury had easily defeated Poland’s Mariusz Wach in recent days, Joshua had to work hard against Prenga, who sent him to the canvas with an uppercut after just 30 seconds and followed it up shortly afterwards. The Englishman held his ground and, in the second round, knocked his opponent out with a rapid combination. “I hope the fans will enjoy a great show,” Joshua then told the crowd regarding the match against Fury.
Boxing: Joshua struggles but wins in two rounds; all eyes on the clash with Fury
Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), 26 July (LaPresse/AP) – A gruelling first round, in which he was knocked down twice, before a knockout victory in the second. Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua made his return to the ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a bout against the feisty Albanian Kristian Prenga. The match was not a title fight, but was decisive for the highly anticipated super-fight with Tyson Fury. Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, explained that the bout between the two former champions was contingent on both winning their warm-up fights scheduled for this week. Whilst Fury had easily defeated Poland’s Mariusz Wach in recent days, Joshua had to work hard against Prenga, who sent him to the canvas with an uppercut after just 30 seconds and followed it up shortly afterwards. The Englishman held his ground and, in the second round, knocked his opponent out with a rapid combination. “I hope the fans will enjoy a great show,” Joshua then told the crowd regarding the match against Fury.
