Anthony Joshua defeats Kristian Prenga with a second‑round knockout in his comeback bout

Anthony Joshua entered the ring in Oslo on 25 July 2026 and rolled his comeback by knocking out the WKN‑ranked Kristian Prenga in the early stages of the second round. The defense‑declared veteran, known for his stand‑up power, was stopped inside the min‑mus of the exhibition, leaving the crowd in awe of the champion’s return to the spotlight.^[1]

A One‑Night Victory

The fight began with Joshua controlled the pace, but it was an early thunder‑clap from the British man that dictated the outcome. Less than 90 seconds into the second round, he landed a high‑center punch that tipped Prenga into a headlock, forcing the referee to call a halt. The crisp stoppage came well before the scheduled ten‑round encounter, underscoring Joshua’s regained rhythm and timing.^[1]

Impact on the Heavy‑Weight Table

Joshua’s emphatic win is set to shift the landscape of the division, reaffirming his place at the top of the pecking order. By defeating a ranked contender so early, the former Olympian positions himself for a strategic next step, potentially a unifying challenge or a title defense ahead of the spring schedule.^[1]