Anthony Joshua survives two Kristian Prenga knockdowns to keep Tyson Fury fight alive

Anthony Joshua was dropped twice in the opening round but survived the crisis to destroy Kristina Prenga in two rounds.

Joshua was floored in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, within about 30 seconds from the heavy-handed Albanian when a right uppercut crunched into his face and the former 2012 Olympic champion from his home games in London was in desperate trouble.

Joshua’s legs looked heavy and his head was cloudy.

Prenga followed in and Joshua was in real trouble. Prenga forced him to the floor again as they jostled and Joshua touched down once more and was given a second count when his right hand connected with the canvas as Prenga bulled his way forward.

Joshua smiled and defiantly stuck his tongue out as he returned to his corner but it had been a nightmare first round.

Joshua started the second on the front foot and soon had the upset-minded Prenga backing up. The gap in the class developed as Joshua started to grow into the fight and he began to dictate the range and distance. Then, as Joshua started to help himself to more success, he lined Prenga up with a jab and drove two right hands into Prenga’s face and the 35-year-old Albanian, who fights out of Edgewater, New Jersey, was hammered onto the canvas via the bottom rope.

It was another Joshua highlight reel KO, but he had a lot of hearts in mouths after that first round.

The fight was all over after 2.43 of the second of what had been an unexpectedly wild shootout.

“We’re here now,” Joshua said of a future fight with Tyson Fury. “I hope the fans will be in for a lovely treat.”

Yes, it was Joshua’s first fight since breaking Jake Paul’s jaw and stopping him in six, but it was also his first bout since the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two of his best friends, Sina and Latz.

Joshua’s friend and promoter Eddie Hearn said: “No one can imagine what he’s been through those last seven months…You don’t know what he’s going through in that camp and to even be in that ring tonight was astonishing.”

Joshua, now 30-4 (27 KOs), said that Fury was his destiny.

Of the vanquished Prenga, who is now 20-2 (20 KOs), Joshua added: “He’s a strong guy, and I think Eddie Hearn wants to sign him now. He’s got a bright future. I’m a serious fighter. It’s what champions do, we get knocked down, we get back up.”