An emotional Anthony Joshua remembered his late friends as he avoided a seismic shock against Kristian Prenga and inspired his fight with Tyson Fury to be a “lovely treat” for fans.
Joshua knocked out Albanian heavyweight Frenga in the second round on Saturday night in Jeddah. This was after falling twice, including 20 seconds into the first round.
The England star showed tremendous character in fighting back from the brink of defeat, a trait he has had to display in abundance since teammates Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele were killed in a car crash in which he was a passenger last December.
Joshua shockingly collapsed 20 seconds after colliding with the Albanian Frenga in Saudi Arabia.
After overcoming Prenga, Joshua said: Dazuen: “It was more than just punching power. It was the spirit, it was Latz, it was Cena, it was the family. It hurts to even talk about it.
“It was hard. They were my brothers. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Joshua: I respect everything Fury has done.
Joshua could discuss Fury, and the British boxers are now set to end more than a decade of circling each other in November, with the United States looking like the most likely destination.
Fury beat Polish veteran Mariusz Wach in a tune-up bout in Thailand on Friday.
AJ added of his compatriot who rushed to Saudi Arabia to face his rivals: “I will break his heart. I am the meanest, most evil champion ever!”
Joshua celebrates after his second-round knockout victory over Frenga in Jeddah on Saturday night.
“All kidding aside, I respect everything he has done and accomplished, but here we are now. I hope the fans are in for a great treat.”
“I have learned that I cannot be stopped. I will not be stopped and I will not be rejected. We are here and we are coming. Trust me.”
‘No one can imagine what Joshua went through’
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed a deal has been signed for the blockbuster fight and praised Joshua’s “amazing” comeback following the “grief and pain” he suffered following his car crash just before Christmas.
Hearn said of Joshua: Dazuen: “To be honest, tonight is about the strength AJ showed to get here tonight and the strength he showed in that fight.
“No one can imagine what he’s been through in the last seven months. In the first round, I thought, ‘We’re back too soon.’
Joshua was knocked down twice in the opening round but fought back to win and stay on course for his clash with Fury.
“I think boxing saved him at one point, and he felt he needed it to help him get through this. The camp helped him stay focused while he was facing so much grief and pain.
“He’s a strong guy and he likes to take matters into his own hands. I’m not saying that’s the right way, but that’s his way. Even being in the ring tonight was amazing.
“After being knocked down a few times in the first round and when it looked like his career might be over, he had to go deep once more to get up and fight.”
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