Boxing
Destiny guides Joshua past danger as Fury awaits star in wings
Spence vs Tszyu: DAZN PPV & Prime Video - TONIGHT
Billed as “Danger Before Destiny,” Anthony Joshua taking on Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia was the final bridge to cross before he faces Tyson Fury. However, that collision course nearly crumbled before AJ’s very eyes Saturday night.
That's because Prenga dropped Joshua with two shocking knockdowns in the first round of their bout, momentarily throwing any thought of the Fury-Joshua mega fight awry. But Joshua gathered his shaky legs back enough to unload a right-left-right combo that knocked Prenga out in the second round for an emphatic — and relieving — victory .
Now that Fury stopped Mariusz Wach in seven rounds Friday night in Thailand and Joshua survived an upset scare against Prenga less than 24 hours later, we can finally look ahead to ‘The Gypsy King’ vs. AJ in November.
Joshua defeats Prenga in dramatic triumph
Watch: 'AJ' survives double knockdown to destroy Albanian
Arguably and ironically enough, both former unified heavyweight world champions will be entering their super fight more vulnerable than ever, only adding to the intrigue of their meeting.
An emotional Oleksandr Usyk, whose team has been training AJ, looked every bit relieved as happy following Joshua’s rallying win over Prenga. The same sigh of relief was shared by Joshua's Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who certainly would have received criticism for pairing AJ with Prenga had his charge lost.
After all, the Albanian heavyweight touted all 20 of his wins by knockout entering Saturday night and looked to be on pace toward his biggest win yet after unloading a compact uppercut that made Joshua taste the canvas. Seconds later, Prenga dropped AJ again.
Shades of Daniel Dubois and Andy Ruiz Jr. knocking out Joshua had to cross critics' and fans' minds alike before the latter was able to dramatically turn the momentum around and stop Prenga. Despite facing unexpected turbulence, Joshua was in good spirits afterwards, even doing his best Mike Tyson imitation in calling out Fury.
A decade-plus long in the making, Joshua and Fury will converge after each being at the top of the glamour division, but unable to resolve Usyk’s sweet science superiority in two defeats against the Ukrainian apiece.
It wasn't easy to get here, but now the boxing world can finally receive the full, glorious buildup to Fury vs. Joshua.
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