By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua produced a remarkable comeback to defeat unbeaten Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga by second-round knockout in his long-awaited return to the ring, keeping alive plans for a blockbuster all-British clash with Tyson Fury later this year.
The bout, dubbed “The Comeback,” marked Joshua’s first competitive fight since suffering a knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024 and returning from injuries sustained in a car accident in Nigeria late last year. The crash claimed the lives of two of his close friends, making Saturday’s victory an emotional milestone for the British-Nigerian boxer.
Joshua endured a nightmare start as Prenga stunned the former unified champion with two knockdowns in the opening round, putting the 36-year-old under intense pressure and raising fears of a major upset.
However, the two-time heavyweight champion responded in style. After regaining his composure in the second round, Joshua unleashed a series of powerful right hands that overwhelmed Prenga before landing a decisive blow that sent the Albanian crashing through the ropes. The referee immediately stopped the contest, handing Joshua a dramatic technical knockout victory.
Speaking after the fight, Joshua praised his opponent’s toughness and described the victory as proof of a champion’s resilience, saying he never stopped believing he could turn the fight around despite the difficult opening round.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, hailed the performance, saying the former champion showed tremendous character by recovering from early adversity to secure victory.
The win also clears the path for one of boxing’s most anticipated heavyweight contests.
Tyson Fury, who also recorded a victory in his own comeback bout is now expected to face Joshua later in 2026 after both fighters’ camps confirmed that contracts for the long-awaited showdown have been signed.
Joshua’s dramatic return not only revived his standing in the heavyweight division but also renewed excitement among boxing fans eager to finally witness a clash between two of Britain’s biggest boxing stars.
