ANTHONY JOSHUA had to save himself from an embarrassing defeat to Kristian Prenga.
The British boxer was in the first round during the bout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Iegor Golub’s message to Anthony Joshua before the second round could be heard Credit: DAZN
AJ was able to win despite being knocked down twice in the first round Credit: AP
, 36, was rocked by a , which sent him to the deck.
He was knocked down again in the first round with many fearing it could be the end of the Watford brawler.
However, in the second round he came out swinging and ended the fight with a knockout blow on Prenga, much .
It appears that he had followed the advice from coach Iegor Golub to get back into the fight.
The Ukrainian coach used to train AJ foe and former WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk.
His message to AJ during the break between the first and second round could be picked up on one of the microphones.
He said: “AJ, first of all, you must move. Your hands must be closed. You must move and work the jab.
“You stay in ring, don’t go down.”
Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga - all the info
Anthony Joshua has BEATEN Kristian Prenga in his comeback fight
British hero is back and has KNOCKED OUT Kristian Prenga inside TWO rounds.
In a thrilling encounter, AJ was knocked down TWICE in the opening round by the Albanian.
However, he recovered well and delivered a devastating knockout in the next round to secure the win on his return.
With the win, Joshua now sets up the biggest fight in the history of British boxing against at the end of the year.
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The words had the desired effect as AJ came out significantly better in the second round.
He took the challenge to Prenga and sealed the deal with a monstrous right-hand punch.
But AJ was left impressed with Prenga’s performance in the ring as he insisted a bright future lay ahead of the 35-year-old.
He said: “He is going to do well and has a bright future.
“Maybe with a bit more experience, he will be up there with the rest of us.”
AJ was in the ring for the first time since he which claimed the lives of close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
After the fight, he paid an to the duo.
He said: “It’s more than punch power. That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina, that was the families.
AJ knocked out Prenga in the second round Credit: AP
“It hurts to even talk about it. It has been tough.”
The victory has also saved the long-awaited Battle of Britain between AJ and .
Fury was not present at the Jeddah Superdome but AJ still sent him a message as he added: “I’m going to rip his heart out.”
However, for British boxing fans, with the fight due to take place in NEW YORK.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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