Anthony Joshua wins comeback bout against Kristian Prenga in second-round knockout

Anthony Joshua has won his comeback bout against Kristian Prenga with a second-round knockout.

The 36-year-old was making his return to the ring ahead of a dream match-up against former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury this year.

While no date or venue has been set, speculation is rife that the two British boxers will meet at Wembley Stadium in November.

Held in Jeddah on Saturday night, Prenga was actually on top during the opening round - sending Joshua to the mat with an uppercut within the first 20 seconds.

Joshua was then knocked down again before the first round ended, turning it around after catching the Albanian with a jab before hitting him with hooks against the ropes.

It's also Joshua's first fight since he was in a car accident in Nigeria last December, where his two friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele were killed.

The two were members of the boxer's team and long-term friends.

Speaking in the ring after his win, Joshua said: "That was more than punch power. It was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina... It's been tough.

"It hurts me talking about it, man."

On his next opponent, Joshua smiled as he delivered an homage to Mike Tyson: "I am going to rip his heart out. I am the meanest and most vicious champion there has ever been!

"All jokes aside, there are two sides to this thing... I respect everything (Fury) has done and achieved, but as someone who has been calling for this fight for some time, it is here now.

"I hope the fans will be in for a lovely treat."

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said after the match: "No one can imagine what he's been through in these last seven months. In fact, during that first round I was thinking 'we came back too soon'.

"I said in the build-up to this fight that boxing once saved him and he needed boxing to help him get through this and his camp allowed him to focus his mind while he was facing so much grief and pain.

"You don't know what he was going through in that camp because he's a strong man and he likes to deal with his problems on his own. I'm not saying that's the right way to do it but that's his way to do it."

Hearn confirmed contracts for the long-awaited blockbuster between Joshua and Fury have been signed, although a date and venue are still unknown.

(c) Sky News 2026: Anthony Joshua wins comeback bout against Kristian Prenga in second-round knockout