Joshua vs. Prenga live updates, round-by-round coverage
With a dream match against Tyson Fury on the horizon, Anthony Joshua makes his highly anticipated comeback.
For the first time since December 2025, AJ steps into the ring with a chance to set the stage for an encounter with the Gypsy King. Standing in the way of Joshua is Albanian knockout artist Kristian Prenga, who was garnered all 20 of his victories by way of KO.
After battling tough circumstances in his personal life, what does Joshua have in store for this main event showdown against Prenga? Will he take care of business and finally move on to a clash with Fury?
Keep refreshing this page for live updates and round-by-round coverage of the Joshua vs. Prenga fight.
Final Thoughts
24 hours. Two stoppages. One inevitable outcome.
I’m sure Anthony Joshua had no intentions of adding an extra dash of drama, but just as he’s done in his career and in his personal life, he picked himself up from the mat and continued swinging. (Props to Kristian Prenga for those thrilling haymakers. I’d love to see his hard-hitting punches once more in the near future.)
Just the day before, Tyson Fury scored his own TKO victory in his tune-up fight. From Thailand to Saudi Arabia to the boxing hotbed of England, all roads lead to the heavyweight blockbuster that fight fans have been clamoring for.
In his post-fight interview, Joshua had a message for Gypsy King: “I’ll rip his heart out…I respect everything that he’s done…We’re here now.”
They didn’t mess it up. And now, we’re about to have dinner served.
That’s a wrap for ALL-STAR’s live coverage of Joshua vs. Prenga. Stay tuned as we bring you live coverage of Spence vs. Tszyu in a matter of hours!
It’s a Comeback After All, AJ
This past year has been all about resilience for Anthony Joshua. He went from two resounding knockdowns in Round 1…
…to setting up his jab nicely and unloading a devastating right that put Prenga to sleep.
That November clash between Joshua and Fury can’t come soon enough.
Joshua vs. Prenga: Round 2
There appears to be something wrong with Joshua’s leg. For that matter, he keeps getting tagged by Prenga’s right hand. Joshua now stringing together some combinations and keeping Prenga at bay with his jabs as well. Now, it’s Prenga who looks like he’s disoriented. AJ knocks down Prenga to the mat! The referee has waved it off. What a comeback victory by Joshua!
Joshua vs. Prenga: Round 1
Prenga knocks down Joshua with an uppercut in the opening seconds!!! Good Lord. Joshua gets back up, but now he’s got to be second-guessing himself. Prenga is putting pressure on Joshua again, and boy, does AJ look like he’s in trouble. Joshua gets knocked down again! Prenga has so much power behind his punches. The Albanian wins that round as the Fury-Joshua dream match looks to be in serious jeopardy.
Joshua vs. Prenga: The Ringwalks Are Here
Oh look, we have Michael Buffer doing the introductions. Buffer’s spiel will never be matched in combat sports.
Prenga, clad in a red robe, is now walking to the ring. Then, the lights dim as a video package for Joshua plays. Already, the crowd is reacting to the sentimental favorite. Bonus points to AJ for quoting LL Cool J in the package: “Don’t call it a comeback. For me, it’s just my life.” Joshua, who’s wearing a camouflage-themed vest, comes out as the play-by-play commentator says that it’s “extraordinary” for him to overcome personal tragedy and get back in action. The camera then pans to Oleksandr Usyk, who’s sitting in the audience. Usyk, by the way, helped Joshua prepare for this fight.
As Buffer gets into his “Let’s get ready to rumble” schtick, Joshua keeps pacing back and forth behind him. The man is locked in. The Albanian contingent in the audience is cheering Prenga, but why are there folks booing him? Weird. On the other hand, Joshua receives a warm ovation from the crowd.
Joshua vs. Prenga: What Happened in the Undercard?
Here’s what has transpired as we await the Joshua vs. Prenga main event.
WBO Super Middleweight Championship
Hamzah Sheeraz def. Simon Zachenhuber via majority decision to retain his title
IBF Super Welterweight Championship
Josh Kelly def. Caoimhin Agyarko via unanimous decision to retain his title
Super Featherweight
Reito Tsutsumi def. Alvino Herrera via TKO (Round 2)
Middleweight
Jakob Bank def. Pawel August via unanimous decision
Super Welterweight
Nishant Dev def. Cesar Diaz via TKO (Round 1)
Joshua vs. Prenga: Tale of the Tape
Here’s how these two fighters stack up against each other.
One thing that’s not in this beautiful graphic is reach. According to BBC, that metric is on the side of Joshua, who will have a five-inch reach advantage over Prenga.
Oleksandr Usyk Has a Crystal Ball
If there’s any man who can claim to be the connective tissue between Joshua and Fury, it’s Oleksandr Usyk. The no. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world has been in the ring with both AJ and Gypsy King, so his speculations on the outcome of their dream fight are as valid as you can get.
So, how does Usyk see a Joshua-Fury match panning out?
Predicting an AJ win? Calling Fury a “greedy belly?” Relax. By all accounts, Fury and Gypsy King are friends who DM each other on Instagram.
Joshua vs. Prenga: What Happened at the Weigh-in?
At the official weigh-in, Joshua clocked in at 251 pounds while Prenga came in at 261.4 pounds.
On the one hand, the discrepancy in weight could mean more power behind the punches of Prenga, who’s looking to add knockout victory no. 21 in the main event. On the other hand, speed and stamina may very well be on the side of the lighter Joshua.
Here’s an interesting note from Sky Sports: The heaviest that AJ has weighed for a pro fight is 255.4 pounds. That was when he defeated Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision in April 2023. (Also, for what it’s worth, Joshua’s official weight for this Prenga bout is not that far off from his 252.5-pound frame for his September 2024 title fight with Daniel Dubois. He lost that fight to Dubois, who weighed in at four pounds lighter.)
Tyson Fury Is Waiting
During the official weigh-in for Joshua vs. Prenga, I heard the commentators use the analogy of semi-final matchups. I think that’s spot on, and I’ll go ahead and use it. Tyson Fury, ladies and gentlemen, has advanced on his side of the bracket.
This past Friday, Fury won his warm-up fight when Polish veteran Mariusz Wach retired on his stool after seven rounds. This one-sided affair against the 46-year-old Wach took place in a non-televised bout in Thailand.
Admittedly, Gypsy King’s victory over Wach isn’t quite worthy of a headline. But this is…
Fury certainly looked like he was having a great time. We would have an excellent time if Fury vs. Joshua finally graces our TV screens!
