Joshua bounces back to secure knockout win over Prenga

JEDDAH: Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua survived a first-round onslaught before knocking out Albanian Kristian Prenga to clear ​the path for his long-awaited showdown with fellow Briton Tyson ‌Fury.

Fighting for the first time since two of his best friends died in a car crash in Nigeria in December in which he was injured, the 36-year-old Joshua was ​floored by a thunderous right uppercut within the opening 30 ​seconds, and he took another count late in the first ⁠round.

Joshua made it to the bell and came out all guns blazing ​in the second round, unleashing huge right hands to knock Prenga into ​the ropes, and the Albanian could not recover as the fight was ended by the referee.

“He (Prenga) is a serious fighter, strong, durable and he came and gave me ​a good test, but this is what champions do - we rise, ​man. We get knocked down, we stand up and we keep going. That’s life,” ‌Joshua told ⁠reporters.

Fury says ‘best yet to come’ ahead of Thailand fight

Fury beat Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday in a fight that was not broadcast live on television, with the 46-year-old Pole retiring on his stool before the eighth round, and Joshua’s victory cleared the way for a ​bout between the ​two Britons that has ⁠been agreed for later this year.

“We’ve signed the contract, everything’s done, but to be honest with you, tonight ​is all about the strength that he showed to ​even be ⁠here tonight, and the strength that he had to show in that fight,” Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said.

“When you go down a couple of times ⁠in ​the first round and you’re looking like ​your career might be over, he had to go to the depths one more time to ​get up and fight on.”