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The fight between Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga was not fixed. While some casual observers and critics on social media alleged a fix, boxing analysts, experts, and the fighters’ camps completely dismiss this claim.
The bout took place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia, resulting in a dramatic second-round knockout victory for Anthony Joshua.
Why the Fight Was Not Fixed
Accusations of a “rigged” fight surfaced because of the wild, sudden shift in momentum between the first and second rounds. However, the reality of what happened inside the ring proves otherwise:
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- Legitimate Danger: In the opening 20 seconds, Kristian Prenga caught Joshua with a massive right uppercut that sent him crashing to the canvas. Joshua was heavily rocked and dropped a second time later in the first round, leaving him visibly unsteady on his legs. Had Prenga possessed slightly more finishing power or aggression, he would have ended Joshua’s career right there.
- Prenga’s Tactical Error: In the second round, Prenga mistakenly took his foot off the gas and began boxing off his back foot instead of pressing his advantage. This allowed a veteran like Joshua time to clear his head, establish his jab, and find his range.
- The Knockout Blow: Once Joshua recovered from his initial “adrenaline dump,” he drew Prenga forward and uncorked a devastating, textbook right-hand combination. Prenga collapsed through the ropes and was counted out by referee Luis Pavone.
- Heavy Emotional Stakes: This was Joshua’s highly anticipated return to the ring following a tragic December car crash that claimed the lives of his close friends and trainers, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele. An emotional Joshua dedicated the gritty, high-stakes win to his fallen brothers, fighting back tears in his post-match interview.
What is Next for Anthony Joshua?
By surviving the massive scare against Prenga, Joshua improved his record to 30-4. The victory successfully cleared the final hurdle to finalize the long-awaited heavyweight mega-fight against Tyson Fury (who won his own warm-up bout against Mariusz Wach) scheduled for late 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrPiIT23Jb8