Oleksandr Usyk took to Instagram to congratulate Anthony Joshua after the British-Nigerian boxer's emotional return to professional boxing, where he knocked out Kristian Prenga in the second round despite being floored twice in the opening frame.
The victory marked Joshua's first professional fight since a Netflix exhibition bout against Jake Paul in December 2025, and came after a tragic car crash in Nigeria that killed two of his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. The accident had cast doubt on whether Joshua would continue his career.
Usyk's Message of Support
Usyk, who worked with Joshua ahead of the fight, posted a message on his Instagram page celebrating the victory. "@anthonyjoshua, what an incredible fight! This is exactly the comeback everyone was waiting for. A dominant second round KO victory. Congratulations, bro!" Usyk wrote, according to Legit.ng.
The Ukrainian two-time world heavyweight champion's praise carried weight given his own storied career and his previous defeats of Joshua in 2021 and 2022.
Joshua's Rocky Return
Against Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga, Joshua's return was far from straightforward. He was knocked down twice inside the first round, raising fresh doubts about his physical and mental state. However, he recovered to finish the contest emphatically in the following round, delivering the kind of decisive finish his supporters had hoped to see.
The win revived conversations about a long-awaited all-British heavyweight clash with Tyson Fury, according to BBC Sport. The prospect of Joshua and Fury finally meeting in the ring has been discussed for years, and this performance may bring that fight a step closer to reality.
Financial Details
Legit.ng previously reported that Joshua earned approximately £4 million from the fight, part of a total purse estimated at £5 million. While modest by his standards, the bout represented a crucial step in rebuilding his career after personal tragedy.
Emotional Significance
The fight carried immense emotional weight for Joshua, who had been absent from professional competition since December 2025. The fatal car crash in Nigeria that month had prompted genuine concern within boxing circles that the 35-year-old might walk away from the sport entirely. His victory over Prenga not only silenced doubters but also demonstrated his resilience in overcoming adversity.
The comeback has sparked optimism among fans and analysts alike, with many viewing it as the beginning of a new chapter for the former world champion.
