Anthony Joshua’s much-anticipated fight with Tyson Fury remained on course after a chaotic victory over Kristian Prenga in which the Briton revovered from being knocked down twice.
Joshua hit the canvas twice during a dismal opening three minutes in Jeddah, putting the Albanian on course for a huge shock.
But Joshua recovered and dispatched Prenga during the second round with a series of big right hands as he won his first fight since he was a passenger in a car crash in December that killed friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
An emotional Joshua dedicated his win to his late team members, saying: “It’s more than punch power.
“That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina, that was the families. It hurts to even talk about it. It has been tough. It’s my brothers. I don’t want to talk about it.”
AJ: ‘I’ll rip Fury’s heart out!’
AJ looks set for a showdown against fellow British heavyweight Fury in November.
The Gypsy King stopped Mariusz Wach in a non-televised bout in Thailand on Friday.
Contracts are believed to be already signed for Joshua vs Fury. The fight is set to take place at Wembley Stadium, although organiser Turki Alalshikh is believed to prefer an American venue, according to Eddie Hearn.
After beating Wach, Fury questioned whether Joshua would “have the guts” to face him.
On Fury, Joshua added: “I am going to rip his heart out. I am the meanest and most vicious champion there has ever been.
“All jokes aside, I respect everything he has done and achieved but we are here now. I hope the fans will be in for a lovely treat.”
AJ: Prenga will be up there
Joshua also praisex Prenga, saying: “He’s a strong guy and I think Eddie [Hearn] wants to sign him now!
“He is going to do well and has a bright future. Maybe with a bit more experience, he will be up there with the rest of us.
“He is strong and durable and gave me a good test but this is what champions do, we rise. We get knocked down and stand up. That’s life.”
Pictures By Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing
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