Joshua twice knocked down but halts Kristian Prenga in second to set up Fury fight

Anthony Joshua was dropped on two occasions before rallying to stop Kristian Prenga in the second round, producing a dramatic victory that sets up a fight with Fury.

The contest underlined Joshua's ability to recover under pressure after suffering two knockdowns early in the bout. Despite those setbacks he regained control and forced a stoppage in the second round. The outcome immediately renewed talk of a forthcoming meeting with Fury.

Joshua’s night was defined by an early period of trouble when he was sent to the canvas twice. He absorbed those blows and altered the momentum quickly, turning the fight around before the end of the second round. The referee halted the contest, giving Joshua the stoppage win.

Prenga’s success in scoring the knockdowns demonstrated his threat in the opening exchanges, but he was unable to sustain the advantage. Joshua responded decisively after being dropped, delivering the finishing sequence that ended the bout. The rapid turnaround ensured the contest did not reach the later rounds.

For Joshua, the victory salvaged what had been a precarious start and delivered a high-profile result. The second-round stoppage will be recorded as a dramatic comeback on his record, showing both vulnerability and resilience in the same performance. The manner of the win is likely to shape discussions about his next opponent.

Prenga leaves having proven he could trouble a big-name opponent early, but the stoppage was decisive and ended his challenge swiftly. Joshua’s ability to recover and finish the fight in the second round will be the headline from the meeting between the two fighters.

The stoppage sets up the anticipated clash with Fury, with Joshua’s dramatic recovery and second-round victory providing a fresh narrative for that prospective fight. The result will be viewed as pivotal as plans for the next high-profile bout take shape.