Broadcaster Simon Jordan has voiced suspicion regarding Anthony Joshua's knockout victory against Kristian Prenga, particularly after Joshua recovered from two knockdowns in the first round. The fight's dramatic turnaround has led Jordan to speculate about a potential setup to maximize financial gain from an anticipated showdown with Tyson Fury.
Joshua, returning to the ring after a seven-month hiatus, was visibly shaken early in the contest. Prenga landed an uppercut that sent Joshua to the canvas just 20 seconds into the bout. The Albanian heavyweight later scored a second knockdown, raising concerns about Joshua's ability to continue and the viability of a future fight with Fury.
Despite these setbacks, the second round saw a significant shift in momentum. Joshua rallied, landing a series of heavy blows that led to Prenga being cornered and ultimately knocked out. This swift recovery and decisive finish, occurring just a day after Fury's victory over Mariusz Wach, cleared the path for the highly anticipated clash between the two British heavyweights.
Jordan took to social media to express his doubts, posting, "Something not quite right, all designed to rinse maximum amount of money…" He highlighted the stark contrast in Joshua's performance between the two rounds, noting that Prenga appeared significantly less effective in the second round.
Punch statistics from the fight appear to support the observed discrepancy. In the first round, Joshua landed only five of 22 attempted punches, while Prenga connected with 15 of his 32. The second round saw Joshua land 13 of 46 punches, with Prenga's effectiveness dropping to three successful connections out of 17 attempts.
In contrast, Joshua remained resolute, stating in a post-fight interview that "champions rise." He emphasized his ability to overcome adversity, attributing his comeback to resilience and a higher power. "He [Prenga] gave me a good test but this is what champions do, we rise," Joshua said. "We get knocked down and stand up. That is life, that is life's motto."
Joshua also extended gratitude to Prenga and his team, acknowledging Prenga's strength and durability. Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn admitted he had concerns about Joshua's readiness, stating, "In that first round, I thought we'd come back too soon." He added that Joshua's ability to win despite his struggles was a testament to his character.
Looking ahead to his bout with Fury, for which contracts have been signed, Joshua expressed confidence and respect for his opponent, stating, "I respect everything he has done and everything that he has achieved, but as a fighting person, we're here now."
Joshua dedicated his performance to two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, who died in a car crash in December. He had their names printed on his trunks and wore a jacket adorned with medals and pennants bearing their names. The phrase ‘Latz x Sina, My Brother's Keeper, MBK’ was also present on the canvas in his corner. Joshua acknowledged the personal toll of their deaths, stating, "It's been tough. That's my brothers. I don't want to talk about that."