Anthony Joshua overcame a brutal start to make a successful return to the ring on Saturday, stopping Kristian Prenga by second-round knockout in the main event at the Jeddah Superdome in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout streamed live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The former heavyweight champion showed determination after being dropped early before turning the fight around with a devastating finish.
Prenga Stuns Joshua in the Opening Round
Joshua was competing for the first time since his serious car accident late last year. The 36-year-old had also been out of the ring since defeating Jake Paul in December 2025 and entered the contest looking to build momentum for another run at the top of the heavyweight division.
The fight did not begin as expected.
Prenga caught Joshua with heavy punches in the opening round and scored multiple knockdowns, putting the former champion under immediate pressure. Joshua looked shaken during the early exchanges but stayed composed long enough to recover before the bell.
Joshua Delivers the Fight-Ending Blow
The momentum shifted quickly in the second round.
As Prenga continued to press forward, he left an opening that Joshua took full advantage of. The British star landed a crushing right hand that sent Prenga crashing through the ropes.
The impact left little doubt about the outcome. Seeing Prenga unable to continue, the referee immediately stepped in and stopped the contest, handing Joshua an emphatic knockout victory.
The win gives Joshua a successful comeback and keeps him on course for a potential blockbuster showdown with fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury, who also picked up a victory on Friday.