Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga has vehemently denied allegations that his knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was a fixed fight. Prenga described the accusations as baseless and damaging, asserting that both he and Joshua maintained their integrity throughout the contest.
Prenga Drops Joshua Twice in Opening Round
The 35-year-old Albanian stunned the boxing world by flooring Joshua twice within the first round. Prenga landed a powerful right hand just 20 seconds into the bout, sending Joshua to the canvas. Later in the round, he repeated the feat, knocking Joshua down again. The early dominance suggested a potential upset, but Prenga's momentum evaporated in the second round as Joshua regrouped and took control.
Illness Blamed for Stamina Collapse
Addressing the dramatic shift in performance, Prenga revealed that he had been battling illness during his training camp, which severely compromised his conditioning. The lack of full training and reduced cardio work left him unable to sustain the high pace after the explosive first round. 'I felt I needed to preserve energy and catch my breath, so I thought I would start slow and replenish my energy. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, and that slower pace allowed AJ to flip control of the fight to him,' Prenga explained.
Rebuke of Fixing Claims
Online conspiracy theories and comments from pundits, including Simon Jordan, suggested that the fight's outcome might have been prearranged. Prenga rejected these notions outright. 'What do I make of Simon Jordan's comments? Completely false, and irresponsible for anyone to suggest it. AJ and I have integrity, we would never engage in this stupidity,' he stated. The boxer emphasized that no boxer with self-respect would agree to a fixed fight, especially at the professional level.
Sergey Lapin Also Denies Allegations
Earlier this week, Sergey Lapin, Director of Team Usyk, also dismissed the fixing allegations. Lapin had worked closely with Joshua during his preparation for the fight, having previously been part of Oleksandr Usyk's corner. He played a key role in Jeddah, advising Joshua during the bout. Lapin's denial added weight to Prenga's stance, reinforcing that the fight was legitimate.
Lessons Learned
Prenga reflected on the experience, highlighting the critical lesson of maintaining health before a major fight. 'What did I learn? Try not to get sick during training camp because you feel the difference from losing those training days and cardio workouts after the first round,' he said. Despite the defeat, Prenga remains determined to continue his career and prove his mettle in the heavyweight division.
