Boxing
Opponent Anthony Joshua’s 20 KOs resulted in 196 total losses after a 1-2 early defeat
Anthony Joshua’s next opponent has a perfect knockout rate on paper, but a closer look at that record raises immediate questions about what that number actually means.
Putting this fight under the WBN lens, Kristian Prenga had 20 stoppages for a total of 196 losses, a figure that outshines much of the luster of his undefeated KO streak and was portrayed as a threat in Matchroom’s recent announcement.
On the surface, the numbers suggest danger. In reality, the double-digit number of stoppages masks careful selection and controlled progression, rather than a proven test at the level at which Joshua has operated for the better part of a decade.
This becomes clearer when we look at one of the first blemishes on Prenga’s record.
Early failure in context
Prenga’s lone defeat came in just his fifth professional appearance, an eight-round decision to Dutchman Giovanni Auriemma in Steenwijk. Complaints about a hometown decision pale in comparison to a player whose story tells a story of its own.
Auriemma finished with a modest 2-6-2 record and no knockout victories in ten fights, playing mostly at the grassroots level and struggling to make an impact beyond it.
His victory over Prenga stands out from the rest of his resume, which largely consists of losses and draws against similarly modest opponents.
This is not an interpretation of Prengi’s current abilities. It just shows the record and the fact that he failed to knock out a journeyman in 24 minutes of action.
Record under a microscope
When these details are paired with Prengi’s streak of early finishes, a bigger picture quickly emerges.
A fighter with a 100% KO rate, one whose opponents have suffered 196 defeats and whose only defeat came after a 1-2 victory, belongs to a very specific category.
This happens more often than it should. But that explains why the reaction to this fight was what it is.
Fans on social media called the fight a “waste of time” and used offensive terms, with one fan even stating that he would prefer to watch the rematch with Jake Paul on July 25 in Riyad.
Joshua is in no unknown danger. It will be matched to a player who has been brought in in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes appearance.
This distinction matters. Prenga was blown up after an impressive 20 wins and 20 KOs. But this isn’t a test – it’s a formality disguised as one.
If you look at it, opportunity is the problem because it’s the type of contract and headlining gig that boxers break their records for and why there are so many guarded records in this sport.
To give US and UK viewers a point of reference, Prenga can be compared to Christopher Lovejoy. Lovejoy eventually strengthened after amassing 19 KOs from 19 fights, but was pummeled by Manuel Charr in two uncomfortable rounds.
Lovejoy’s record today is 20-3-1, with every fight outside of Mexico ending in a failed attempt at victory.
Toasty-up under control
It’s understandable for Joshua to want to composed down after the trauma of what he went through.
But it comes down to what could have been staged in the gym as a warm-up, without dressing up as the hit of the season in Riyad. This is not.
This is just another event in Saudi Arabia’s portfolio, and likely fits into commitments to DAZN and Turki Alalshikh’s broader schedule.
Joshua’s fight immediately aired on Netflix after appearing there in December. It probably went over the edge in terms of formality, leaving fans to deal with the mess that was left as usual.
What we get now is more waiting. Potentially another eight months leading up to the December fight with Tyson Fury, which will hopefully land him where he belongs – in the British Isles.
If the current direction points to a different pre-Christmas date in the Riyad season, the reaction of British fans will be predictable, even with the promise of a rematch at Wembley.
Choosing your opponent
When it comes to Prenga, the less said about this choice, the better.
The Albanian has one notable win against Joey Dawejko, whose name Joshua knows well from sparring before the fight with Andy Ruiz Jr. in Recent York.
Plus, the comparison becomes harder to ignore and only prolongs the disappointment felt after a decade-long wait for a British superfight hanging in the balance.
Joshua is effectively returning to the level of opposition he faced before his fight with Dillian Whyte in 2015, when his early streak was based on quick finishes and narrow resistance.
At this stage, no one had lasted three rounds with Joshua as he bulldozed his way through opponents such as Gary Cornish at the O2 Arena.
Should Prenga be expected to beat this three-round benchmark – probably not.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
Just a few years ago, opening the door to the third fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk seemed unrealistic. Now it seems possible, even after two defeats and the friendship that has developed between the pair outside the ring.
That shift became more pronounced this week when promoter Eddie Hearn admitted Joshua would still “love” another chance to fight Usyk, despite losing twice to the Ukrainian southerner in 2021 and 2022. Historically, a heavyweight rivalry rarely continues after one fighter wins his first two fights cleanly. Boxing usually goes further. This situation seems to be heading in the opposite direction.
Joshua (29-4, 26 KO) has spent recent years rebuilding his career and public standing after successive defeats to Usyk. During this time, the relationship between the two heavyweights changed completely. They trained together, appeared publicly comfortable in each other’s company and shed the bitterness that often accompanies major heavyweight rivalries.
This, among other things, is what makes Hearn’s comments extraordinary.
“I don’t think so,” Hearn said this week when asked whether Joshua’s friendship with Usyk would stop another fight. “But boxing is a humorous venerable game. Part of AJ always wants to fight Usyk because he has been beaten twice. Same with Fury. They are competitors. They want to try to fight him again.”
The heavyweight division began to operate under different rules during the Saudi era. Awareness and commercial value now carry almost as much weight as unfinished competitive business. Tyson Fury is also openly seeking a third fight with Usyk, even though he has lost twice.
In previous eras, a fighter who lost two title fights in a row to the same opponent would usually end the chapter. Joshua-Usyk III would completely reverse this logic. Instead of competitive tension driving demand, it would be legacy and personal redemption.
Joshua still has something to work on before the discussion becomes stern. He returns in July against Kristian Prengi before an expected showdown with Fury later this year. Hearn made it clear that the immediate focus would be on these two fights.
“His ultimate goal is to win the heavyweight championship of the world again,” Hearn said. “I want to beat Tyson Fury and win the world heavyweight championship again.”
However, the idea is still hanging. Not long ago, the sight of Joshua running alongside Usyk on the beach would have seemed impossible. Now there’s a possibility that two fighters who became training partners after a one-sided rivalry will end up sharing the ring for a third time anyway.
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