Anthony Joshua defeated Kristian Prenga by knockout during a bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 24, 2026 [1].

This victory marks a critical step in Joshua's return to professional boxing. By securing a definitive win against Prenga, Joshua demonstrates his readiness to climb back toward the top of the heavyweight division after his period away from the ring.

The fight took place on Friday, following a weigh-in that highlighted a significant size difference between the two competitors. Joshua weighed in at 251 lb [2], while Prenga entered the ring at 261.4 lb [2]. Despite the weight disadvantage, Joshua's power proved decisive in the match.

The event was part of a broader schedule designed to facilitate Joshua's comeback. The choice of Jeddah as the venue continues the trend of major boxing events being hosted in Saudi Arabia, leveraging the region's growing investment in global sports.

Chris Billam-Smith said the victory focused on the technical execution of the knockout. The result reinforces Joshua's standing as a formidable force in the heavyweight category, regardless of the size of his opponent.

Joshua's performance in Jeddah serves as a baseline for his upcoming fights. The efficiency of the knockout suggests that his timing and power remain intact as he seeks to re-establish his dominance in the sport.

“Anthony Joshua defeated Kristian Prenga by knockout”

Joshua's ability to overcome a heavier opponent via knockout signals that his physical conditioning and striking power have not diminished during his hiatus. This result validates his current comeback strategy and likely positions him for higher-profile matchups against top-tier heavyweight contenders in the near future.