Boxer Simon Zachenhuber lost a narrow points decision to undefeated super-middleweight titleholder Hamzah Sheeraz in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, falling short in his unexpected world title bid while earning praise for his durability. According to reports from regional media outlets including ntv.de, the 29-year-old German challenger fought hard through the early rounds before absorbing punishing right hands from his favored British opponent, marking the second defeat of his 31-fight professional career.
Zachenhuber, who gained mainstream attention across Germany as a contestant on the RTL dance competition television show “Let’s Dance” in 2021, accepted the championship opportunity on short notice. Speaking to DAZN prior to the bout, he acknowledged his status as a heavy underdog against Sheeraz. Despite a strong opening stretch, Zachenhuber faded after the fifth round as Sheeraz maintained pressure, though the challenger survived until the final bell after receiving urgent encouragement from his trainer, Conny Mittermeier.
Anthony Joshua Secures Knockout Victory After Early Scare
On the same card in Saudi Arabia, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua bounced back from a first-round knockdown to stop Albanian opponent Kristian Prenga in the second round. According to ringside reporting from ntv.de, Prenga caught Joshua off guard just seconds into the opening frame, sending the 36-year-old British star to the canvas and dominating the first round with a 10-7 scorecard.
Joshua recovered between rounds and turned the tide in the second stanza. With roughly 15 seconds remaining in the round, Joshua landed a powerful right hand to Prenga’s head, sending him violently into the ropes and down to the canvas for a full count by the referee.
Emotional Post-Fight Comments and Upcoming Bout Against Tyson Fury
Following his victory, Joshua addressed the crowd in an emotional post-fight interview, reflecting on a difficult period following a fatal vehicle accident in Nigeria in December 2025 that claimed the lives of two friends and staff members. According to ntv.de, Joshua paused visibly while discussing the tragedy, emphasizing that the fight represented perseverance and loyalty to his fallen colleagues.
The victory serves as the first step in Joshua’s latest campaign to return to the summit of the heavyweight division. Boxing promoters have scheduled a high-profile matchup between Joshua and former world champion Tyson Fury, set to take place in November as part of the anticipated “Battle of Britain” series.
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