Shot to bits – Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

A shout-out to British gentleman and boxing authority Ben Doughty for the headline “Shot to bits”

It fits after watching Anthony Joshua go down twice Saturday night against a 25-1 underdog Kristian Prenga.

Joshua came out jabbing. That was good. Prenga missed with an overhand right, but followed with an uppercut. This same punch had landed a few seconds earlier. This second one, 20 seconds into the heat, sent Joshua tumbling to the canvas.

He got up quickly with a smile on his face. Was he embarrassed or shocked?

The punch didn’t appear that hard. The action resumed. Joshua threw punches; Prenga blocked them and landed two more uppercuts. Joshua’s legs stiffened. He held on for dear life. A right caused him to fall into the ropes.

Joshua jabbed, but his hands were low as if saying, “hit me.” Not something you invite when you have a chin of china. Prenga obliged. They fought and wrestled;

Prenga scored a takedown.

With 40 seconds left in the heat, another right hand sent Joshua falling forward. His right hand braced his fall.

Knockdown number two.

He got up quickly, his eyes clear but his legs shaky.

He ate another right near the end of the round and absorbed it.

He stuck his tongue out at Prenga.

Joshua’s been knocked down 11 times in his 13-year career.

Even when he was younger, there were issues with his chin. Now he’s older, and other factors are at play.

He looks the same facially. His physique is imposing. But, and this happens to just about all fighters who are “shot to bits,” his reflexes and ability to get out of the way of blows are almost nonexistent.

Joshua knocked out a passive Prenga a few minutes later with a vicious combination. Why Prenga didn’t jump on Joshua in the second round is a mystery. Or maybe not. His corner told him to take his time. He gassed out after the first round. (the first round)

Something ugly popped into my brain as I watched Prenga seemingly stop wanting to win. Joshua used his power, which is still explosive.

Tyson Fury fought 46-year-old Mariusz on Friday night. The bout was a farce. Fury won going away, but a myriad of comments were negative. Many said he looked slower in all phases. A bout with Joshua looks imminent.

Fury will be 38 if they fight this fall; Joshua, 37. I expect them to be in great shape when and if they meet. And they’ll fight as well as they can now. Lots of pride.

10 years ago would have been much better.

Just so we’re clear, they aren’t bad fighters. Pretty good, especially Fury, who’s better. They don’t inspire, like the heavyweights of yesterday. They don’t fight enough. Once or twice a year doesn’t cut it. That hurts boxing.

The public saw Errol Spence fighting again for the first time in three years. Like Joshua and Fury, his best days are behind him. He knows it and accepts it. He announced his retirement soon after losing to Tim Tszyu.

I watched some highlights and saw the shadow of a once-dominating fighter. I think people forget how good a fighter Spence was. He traveled into enemy territory to win his first title. Kell Brooke had won 36 of 37 fights when they met. He held the title for almost six years until running into Terence Crawford.

Enjoy your retirement, Errol, you earned it.