Joshua Stops Prenga in Round 2 to Secure November Tyson Fury Showdown

Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) overcame two first-round knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga, setting up a November clash with Tyson Fury.

Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) secured a second-round stoppage victory over Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, overcoming two opening-round knockdowns to finish the Albanian heavyweight with two powerful right hands. This result, combined with Tyson Fury’s (36-2-1, 25 KOs) victory against Mariusz Wach on Friday, clears the path for an all-British heavyweight showdown targeted for November 2026. Joshua utilized his post-fight news conference to issue a direct warning to his rival, stating he intends to start fast with explosive power punches to end the contest early.

Following the win in Jeddah, Joshua expressed confidence that he could replicate his finishing sequence against Fury but at a significantly faster pace. The 36-year-old former two-time champion noted that while he sent Prenga to the canvas in the second frame, he believes he can achieve a knockout in the first round of his next appearance. Despite Joshua’s desire for a face-to-face confrontation immediately after the bout, Fury did not appear in the ring on Saturday night.

Contractual Details and Venue Disputes

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that a legally binding contract for the Joshua vs Fury bout was signed approximately three months ago. The current agreement explicitly mandates that the fight take place in the United Kingdom, a clause Hearn claims was insisted upon by Joshua himself. While the promoter emphasized the importance of the legal work and internal discussions held to finalize the deal, he acknowledged that the location remains a point of potential negotiation.

Turki Alalshikh is currently bankrolling the event, and his involvement could lead to a venue change if there is a desire to move the fight to the United States. Hearn revealed to The Athletic that Madison Square Garden in New York has already submitted a formal offer to host the heavyweight spectacle. Despite these international interests, the existing paperwork prioritizes a British stadium setting for the long-awaited matchup.

Fury’s Skepticism and Training Outlook

Tyson Fury has voiced public doubts regarding the likelihood of the fight occurring, recently labeling Joshua a "bottle job." In response to these claims, both Joshua and Hearn have dismissed the necessity for any further interim bouts, asserting that the November date is the singular focus. Joshua reflected on his performance against Prenga, stating he learned valuable lessons from surviving the early scare in Saudi Arabia and intends to apply that knowledge to his preparation for Fury.

Eliminating Interim Fights

The victory over Prenga serves as the final hurdle before the targeted November window. Hearn reiterated that there is no doubt on their side regarding the status of the bout, citing the extensive work done by lawyers to ensure every move is correct. By ruling out a tune-up fight, the camp is moving directly toward the clash between the 30-4 Joshua and the 36-2-1 Fury. Joshua concluded his remarks by emphasizing his honesty regarding his goals, stating his primary objective is to win and finish the fight as quickly as possible.