Joshua victorious, Fury waiting, Spence retires: Five things we learned from boxing last week

'AJ' had to recover from two early knockdowns against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, while 'The Gypsy King' stopped Marius Wach inside seven.

Yet their triumphs were not the only tales of a busy week that saw no shortage of big names in action across all four quarters of the globe.

Here, DAZN News looks back at the week in boxing - and picks out five key stories worth revisiting as we head for the next seven days.

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Joshua defeats Prenga in dramatic triumph

Watch: 'AJ' survives double knockdown to destroy Albanian

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Joshua's heart undimmed

Back for the first time since the loss of two close friends in a fatal car accident, it was the worst possible start for 'AJ' in the ring.

Relative unknown Prenga dropped him twice before the first round was up, raising serious questions about his foe's future too.

But Joshua showed his heart on his sleeve, turning the tide in a blistering second round to earn the win he so keenly craved.

Fury biding opportunities

Halfway around the world from Saudi Arabia, 'The Gypsy King' made it two wins from two in 2026 with a low-key win of his own.

More of a glorified sparring session than the bout Fury took with Arslanbek Makhmudov, the Briton effectively achieved his aims.

Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images

Yet there is a case to be said that neither of his bouts thus far have answered key questions, having never truly been under fire.

Spence retires in defeat

Errol Spence Jr.'s return to the ring after a three-year exile was meant to be the start of a new chapter. Instead, it closed the book.

The American came up short in a lopsided performance against Tim Tszyu in Sydney, showcasing that his race has now been run.

'The Truth' alluded to as much in his post-fight comments, acknowledging that he had learned matters he needed to in Australia.

Sheeraz handed wake-up call

Just two months after earning the WBC super-middleweight crown against Alem Begic, Hamzah Sheeraz mounted his first defence.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

The Briton was a heavy favourite to scramble challenger Simon Zachenhuber, but instead found himself taken the distance in Jeddah.

Though victorious, narrow scorecards should prove a wake-up call for the star, who is already eyeing up Canelo Alvarez on his docket.

Kelly reaffirms credentials

Sheeraz was not the only British world champion out in Saudi Arabia, with Josh Kelly defending his IBF light-middleweight crown as well.

Cut by challenger Caoimhín Agyarko, it was a bloodied performance from the Sunderland native - but one filled with true grit and gumption.

Long linked to a fight with Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, it will be curious to see in which direction Kelly heads next after he returns from the desert.

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