Prenga reflects on impressive performance against Joshua in thrilling first round

Kristian Prenga has shared his thoughts on nearly causing one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history when he fought Anthony Joshua on Saturday.

Joshua's clash with Tyson Fury looked in doubt after he was floored by the 35-year-old boxer inside 20 seconds of the fight, only to rebound by knocking out the Albanian in the second round.

Prenga had fought just 21 times before entering the bout. He had won 20 fights and all by knockout, but only against limited opposition, with the biggest victory of his career coming against American Joey Dawejko back in October 2024.

Fighting for the first time since two of his best friends died in a car crash in Nigeria in December, in which he was injured, the 36-year-old Joshua was floored by a thunderous right uppercut within the opening 30 seconds, and he took another count late in the first round.

Joshua entered the ring in the second round with a lot of firepower, including roundhouse right hands which hit Prenga in the ropes and the Albanian was unable to get up from it before the referee stopped the fight.

Prenga lost the fight but he was praised by boxing pundits for giving a tough time to the former heavyweight champion.

Speaking to Boxing King Media, Prenga reflected on his performance and his plan going into the contest.

“I think I’m going to drop him, and in the second round too, but it didn’t happen,” Prenga said.

He was then asked if he meant to get off to the flying start he did.

“Yes, I trained for that. My plan was to start fast. I wanted to make everybody proud, but it’s not happened.”

Anthony Joshua will now prepare for a fight against his British rival Tyson Fury, a bout which both were planning for 10 years.