Anthony Joshua vs Christian Pringa: The Brit won the second round despite two losses in the first round.

Anthony Joshua was knocked down twice – the first was 20 seconds into his return – and recovered to stop Christian Pringa in dramatic fashion in the second round in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The British heavyweight was fighting for the first time since a car crash in December claimed the lives of close friends Sina Gami and Latif ‘Lats’ Ayodele, and he was rocked by a big uppercut in the opening round.

He hit the canvas again in the round and looked on the verge of one of the most shocking defeats in heavyweight history.

But Joshua made one of his escapes. In the second round, he landed a right hand and finally shot Albanian Pringa down, forcing the referee to stop the bout.

Britannia said Fury would not be available, but there was speculation that he might make an appearance.

But the master of mind games kept his word about staying put, Fury was nowhere to be seen 24 hours after his own heat win over Thailand’s Marius Wach.

Asked about the prospect of a fight with Fury, Joshua said: “I’m a very aggressive, very aggressive champion. Noboby can stop me. He’s not Oleksandr (Usyk).”

“All jokes aside, there are two sides. One is a fighter, and the other is respect. I respect everything he’s done and done, but as a fighter, we’re here now. I hope the fans have a good time.”

Contracts have been signed, but the place and date of the battle, which has been going on for more than ten years, is still unknown.

But this chaotic night was Joshua’s victory in adversity during the most difficult months of his life.

More to follow.