Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga live updates and highlights from Saudi Arabia

Stop us if you've heard this before.

Two-time heavyweight title claimant Anthony Joshua is climbing back into the ring to re-legitimize his career and keep the door propped open for a would-be showdown with British rival for fellow former champ Tyson Fury.

Joshua, with wins in 29 of 33 career fights and KOs in 26 of them, is in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to meet unheralded but supposedly dangerous rival Kristian Prenga, who's gone 20-1 with 20 KOs while beating nothing resembling elite competition.

Should Joshua win, he's fast-tracked for the aforementioned date with Fury, who KO'd long-time fringe contender Mariusz Wach on Friday night in Thailand.

The Joshua-Prenga bout will headline an afternoon card (U.S. time) that's being streamed by DAZN from the Jeddah Superdome.

Check back for B/R's live updates.

Main Card:

• Anthony Joshua v Kristian Prenga, Heavyweight
• Hamzah Sheeraz v Simon Zachenhuber, Super Middleweight
• Josh Kelly v Caoimhin Agyarko, Super Welterweight
• Reito Tsutsumi v Alvino Herrera, Super Featherweight
• Jacob Bank v Pawel August, Super Middleweight
• Nishant Dev def. Cesar Diaz by TKO, 2:56, Round 1

Diaz-Dev: Fight Start

Thirty-three-year-old Peruvian Cesar Diaz is first to walk on the main show in Jeddah and he'll be in tough with a 10-2 record (5 KOs) against highly-touted Indian prospect Nishant Dev, who's 6-0 with four KOs of his own.

It's scheduled for eight rounds at super welterweight.

Big Apple Circus

It's one of the biggest bouts in British heavyweight history, so, naturally, why not bring it to the United States.

It won't make the Brits happy if it happens, but there's apparently a chance it'll take place at the Mecca of U.S. boxing at Madison Square Garden.

Diaz-Dev: Well, That Was Quick

Dev landed a left uppercut that dumped Diaz to the floor in a heap about two minutes into the opening round, then scored another knockdown with a pretty counter left that landed square on Diaz's chin with about 15 seconds remaining.

The veteran rose once more and was quickly floored again, with the third knockdown officially ending matters via TKO at 2:56 of Round 1.

"I'm very happy that everyone is talking about me," Dev said, "but the job is not done yet."

August-Bank: Fight Start

Polish-born UK resident Pawel August is next to walk the aisle for the afternoon's second bout in which he'll engage with 25-year-old Danish prospect Jacob Bank, who's 19-0 with 11 KOs in a professional run that began in 2020.

Bank has won his last three fights by KO, including a five-rounder over Paulinus Ndjolonimu in April. August, who's 18-0 with seven KOs, also last fought in April and won a six-round decision over Simon Zachenhuber.

It's scheduled for eight rounds.

Chanelling Rocky III

Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk got their old-school boxing movie relationship on when Joshua, after losing twice to Usyk, sought his conqueror's training counsel to prepare for today's fight.

On Joshua, Usyk says "AJ today is better."

August-Bank: Three Rounds In

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Jacob Bank punches Pawel August

August began the first round on the front foot and came forward behind a hard left jab, trying to pressure and smother Bank. Bank, however, was determined to use distance on his own terms with a strong left jab and hard right hands to follow.

Bank's timing was exquisite to begin Round 2 and he consistently snapped August's head back with hard jabs and followed with shots to the body as the Polish man approached.

"This is really good from Jacob Bank," analyst Barry Jones said. "Real cameos of class."

The first three rounds were unquestionably Bank's, putting him well on the way to maintaining No. 2 rankings at 168 pounds with the WBC and WBO and No. 8 by Ring Magazine.

August-Bank: Six Down, Two to Go

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Jacob Bank punches Pawel August

Bank remained stiffer, sharper and more successful through the middle rounds, continuing to lash August with hard blows and combinations as he approached.

"I love this natural flair that he has," analyst Darren Barker said.

Trainer Dean Lewis implored August to let his hands go when he got in close, but the gap between the fighters was clearly not a matter of effort.

"He courageous and he's trying," analyst Barry Jones said, "but Jacob Bank is just in total control."

August-Bank: End of Fight

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Jacob Bank punches Pawel August

More of the same in the penultimate an final round for Bank, who boosted his movement and lowered his hands while picking his shots as August approached.

August landed a hard right hand late in the seventh, but it made little impact.

"It's been a boxing master class, and it looks like he could do this for another four or five rounds," analyst Barry Jones said. "You could be looking at a future world champion here."

Hard to imagine anyone giving August a round.

So, it's a clear 80-72 on the B/R card.