Jeddah: Joshua survives scare to set up Fury fight, while Fury is uninspiring
Anthony Joshua experienced a challenging moment in his recent boxing comeback, enduring two knockdowns before securing a knockout victory against Kristian Prenga. This performance has raised questions about his readiness for a highly anticipated bout with Tyson Fury, who also had an uninspiring win.
The fight in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw Joshua sent to the canvas by a right uppercut from Prenga within the opening 20 seconds of the first round. He later took a knee again in the same round. This was Joshua’s first fight since a car accident in December, which resulted in the deaths of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
Despite the early setbacks, Joshua demonstrated resilience, recovering in the second round to deliver a series of heavy blows that led to Prenga’s defeat. This marked Joshua’s 27th knockout victory. He later paid tribute to his friends, wearing camouflage gear adorned with their names.
Joshua’s Emotional Comeback and Concerns
Following the fight, an emotional Joshua spoke about his performance, stating, “It’s what champions do. We rise, we get knocked down and we stand up and we keep going, that’s life’s motto.” He attributed his spirit in the ring to his late friends and their families, acknowledging the difficulty of discussing their loss.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, stepped in during the post-fight interview as Joshua became visibly emotional. Hearn highlighted the strength Joshua showed to compete and to recover during the fight, especially after being knocked down twice in the first round.
However, the fight also exposed vulnerabilities. Joshua’s lack of punch resistance was evident, as he was rocked by Prenga’s punches, including a sweeping right hand and a jolting uppercut. Observers noted that he appeared disoriented after being hit, suggesting a potential concern for future high-stakes matches.
Joshua himself reflected on the experience, saying it was a “tough moment” and a “valuable lesson” to start faster. He also acknowledged that Prenga could have ended the fight if he had more luck on his side. Joshua praised Prenga for providing a good test, calling him a “serious fighter” with a bright future.
Fury’s Performance and Upcoming Bout
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury secured a victory against Mariusz Wach in Thailand. Fury’s win, a seventh-round TKO, was described as uninspiring, with Wach, a 46-year-old Polish heavyweight, managing to land some punches. This performance suggests that Fury may no longer possess the elusive ring technique he once did.
Despite the less-than-dominant performance, Fury is still considered a formidable opponent. His ability to inflict serious damage remains, especially against a version of Joshua that has shown recent vulnerabilities.
The highly anticipated fight between Joshua and Fury has been contracted, with Hearn confirming that “everything is done.” The initial agreement stipulated the fight would take place in the UK in November. However, there is now an expectation that the contest might be moved to the US, which could necessitate new contracts and potentially cause further delays.
Joshua, despite the challenges, expressed respect for Fury, acknowledging his achievements and the long-standing call for their fight. He anticipates a “lovely treat” for the fans when the two heavyweights finally meet.
The bout between Joshua and Fury is now seen as a contest between two experienced heavyweights, carrying significant danger and potential calamity alongside substantial financial implications.
Joshua’s near-defeat against Prenga served as a stark reminder of the physical demands of the sport and the importance of resilience, as he recovered to secure the knockout in the second round.
The signed contracts for the Fury and Joshua fight indicate it will take place in the UK in November.
Source: theguardian.com
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
