Anthony Joshua fought back from two knockdowns to knockout Kristian Prenga

Anthony Joshua knockout Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia 

Saudi Arabia: Anthony Joshua produced a remarkable comeback performance in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, overcoming two first-round knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga in the second round and reignite expectations of a long-awaited heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury.

The former two-time world heavyweight champion endured a nightmare start when Prenga floored him with a powerful right hand moments after the opening bell. Although Joshua beat the count, he struggled to regain his rhythm and was sent to the canvas again before the end of the round.

Joshua responded with renewed composure in the second round, using his jab to re-establish control before connecting with a series of right hands. The decisive blow sent Prenga crashing into the ropes, leaving the referee with no option but to halt the contest and award Joshua a knockout victory.

Anthony Joshua knockout Kristian Prenga

After the fight, Joshua turned his attention to Tyson Fury, the man widely expected to be his next opponent.

"Where is he? There's two sides to this. Fire. And respect," Joshua said afterwards about Fury. "I respect everything he's done. We're here now."

Although speculation had suggested an official announcement of a Joshua-Fury fight could follow the event, no confirmation was made. Fury, who defeated Mariusz Wach in Thailand a day earlier, did not enter the ring, while no date or venue has been revealed for the proposed clash later this year.

Joshua's victory came seven months after a devastating car accident that claimed the lives of two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele. Ahead of the contest, the British boxer described boxing as his "purpose" and dedicated the fight to their memory, with both names displayed on the ring canvas.

Reflecting on the emotional journey, Joshua struggled to contain his emotions.

"It's more than punch power. That was spirit -- that was Latz, Sina. It hurts even talking about it. They are my brothers."

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, praised Joshua's resilience, saying the fighter had relied on boxing to cope with grief.

Anthony Joshua survived two knockdowns 

"No-one can imagine what he's been through. In the first round I said: 'We have come back too soon.' He needed boxing to get through this. The camp allowed him to focus his mind when he was going through grief."

Joshua also acknowledged the challenge posed by Prenga, insisting the difficult opening round never altered his belief.

"I am still here to talk to you now! He is a strong guy, you know. He is going to do well, he has a bright future.

"I am a serious fighter, I know my way around the ring. He came and gave me a good test. But this is what champions do. We keep going, that's life."

Joshua turned his attention to Tyson Fury

The dramatic victory marks a successful return for Joshua and strengthens momentum toward a potential blockbuster meeting with Fury, a contest boxing fans have awaited for years.