Make FightsATW Your Preferred Combat Sports Source
Enjoy our boxing and wrestling coverage? Add Fights Around The World as a Preferred Source on Google so our latest stories can show up more often in your Top Stories.
Add FightsATW on GoogleOne of the most anticipated returns in boxing will occur on July 25, when Anthony Joshua steps into the ring for the first time since the horrific accident that cost the lives of his two close friends. Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs) will face 35-year-old Kristian Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, live on DAZN PPV.
When the fight was originally announced on social media, the first question fans asked was, ‘Who is Kristian Prenga?’ A legitimate question if you don’t live in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey & Connecticut) or aren’t a hardcore fan. Prenga has been a pro for ten years and is originally from Orosh, Albania, but resides in Englewood, New Jersey. When asked the questions fans were asking themselves, he kept it simple and gave a glimpse into the seriousness he takes the sport.
“My life is boxing,” Prenga told FightsATW. “I’m always training, and there will be time for other things after I’ve retired from boxing.”
On April 27, the long-awaited announcement of Joshua’s return was made, and that’s when Prenga went from being largely unknown to the boxing world to being highly searched by fans and the media. Prior to that announcement, there was a conversation between Prenga and his team about the potential of the Joshua fight, and of course, Prenga did not hesitate to say ‘yes’ because he knew this type of opportunity may not come again.
“I was training when my manager, Keith Sullivan, called to tell me there was interest from Team Joshua and asked if I wanted to fight him. He has dealt with Eddie Hearn (Joshua’s promoter at Matchroom Boxing), and they set up the fight. I said right away that I wanted the fight. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”
The announcement of the fight was everywhere and became a topic of discussion when International Hall of Fame promoter Lou Dibella from Dibella Entertainment was on the Ariel Helwani Show. When asked about the fight, Dibella said, “He (Joshua) certainly shouldn’t be in the ring with a doorman, and that’s what Prenga is.” Although it was a direct shot at Prenga, the heavyweight didn’t mind and even made light of the comment.
“I don’t pay attention to what people say,” said Prenga. “I’m a real fighter, and people will see that when I fight Joshua. The funny thing is, Lou (Dibella) tried signing me, but I refused, so take it with a grain of salt.”
Prenga will now be getting ready for his July fight with Joshua, and those on his team preparing him include his trainer Muhammad Salaam, friend and advisor Sammy Lushaj, and his manager Keith Sullivan. Training camp will be held in Englewood, New Jersey, where he lives and trains, as Prenga looks to shock the world.
Although anything can happen in a fight, especially in the heavyweight division, many people are already looking past Prenga and focusing on the mega fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury later this year, should both come out victorious in their respective fights. Although Prenga hears and sees everything being said, it doesn’t bother him at all, as he feels that on July 25, he’ll play spoiler. “I understand, but I’m going to spoil that fight,” said Prenga. “Maybe Fury will fight me after I knock out Joshua?”
So when Prenga steps into the ring to face Joshua on July 25, what should fans expect from him that night? “I’m going to shock the world!” Let’s see if Prenga sticks to his word and earns his place as the man who faces Fury later this year.
Translation of Prenga’s quotes was made by Sammy Lushaj.
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
