Kristian Prenga has been reflecting on his future back home in Albania after coming close to delivering one of the biggest shocks in recent heavyweight boxing.
In his July 31 clash in Saudi Arabia, Prenga stunned Anthony Joshua by knocking him down twice in the opening round. However, the momentum shifted quickly, and Joshua stopped him in the second round.
Still processing the defeat, Prenga admits he has yet to rewatch the full fight, clearly frustrated that such a major opportunity slipped away.
“Honestly, I thought I was going to finish the fight when I had him hurt,” Prenga said. “In the first round, he kept holding me, and I believed I could stop him early—first, second, or third round. Then in the second, everything just changed.”
Prenga started explosively, dropping Joshua within seconds of the opening bell in Jeddah. But his approach shifted in the second round, becoming more cautious and measured.
That change allowed Joshua, a former world champion, to regain control and find his rhythm.
Prenga explained that he often focuses solely on his trainer’s instructions during fights. “Sometimes I only hear my trainer’s voice,” he said. “He was telling me to jab, double jab, and control my breathing. He didn’t want me to rush.”
Looking back, Prenga questions whether that strategy cost him. “Maybe he wanted me to save energy for 12 rounds, but that’s not my style. I like to move forward and apply pressure. Maybe if I kept attacking, I could have finished him in the second round.”
He also acknowledged a critical mistake. “I moved the wrong way and walked into his right hand. That’s not how I fight. But I believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe it was meant for him to win.”
When asked if he regrets changing tactics, Prenga didn’t hesitate. “A lot. I truly believe I could have ended the fight if I stayed aggressive.”
Despite the loss, Prenga firmly rejected any suggestion that he deliberately held back. Some commentators had speculated about outside influences affecting his performance, but he dismissed those claims entirely.
“First of all, I’m not for sale,” he said. “Why would I ever throw a fight? If I win, I earn far more than I ever would by losing.”
Prenga also defended Joshua’s standing in the heavyweight division, despite some rankings placing him outside the top tier.
“That’s not true,” Prenga said. “Joshua is a great fighter. He has experience, power, and has been through a lot. It wouldn’t be an easy fight for anyone, even Tyson Fury.”
Now holding a record of 20 wins and 2 losses, all by knockout victories, Prenga is turning his attention to what comes next. There are discussions about potential promotional opportunities, and he is expected to return to the United States soon. However, due to a medical suspension following the knockout, he will be unable to fight for at least three months.
Even in defeat, Prenga believes his stock has risen significantly. “Before the fight, people were asking who I was and why I was fighting Joshua,” he said. “Now they’ve seen what I can do. I dropped a two-time world champion in the first round. That says everything about my power.”
