Kristian Prenga has issued a stern response to suggestions that his fight with Anthony Joshua was fixed, after losing to the British star by knockout.
On Saturday, the Albanian unknown dropped “AJ” twice in the first round in Saudi Arabia, threatening to derail Joshua’s long-awaited fight with compatriot Tyson Fury.
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However, Prenga then eased off the gas in round two, and before the round was done, he had suffered a knockout defeat.
The referee waves off the fight between Kristian Prenga (pictured) and Anthony Joshua (Reuters)
The nature of the 35-year-old’s performance led some fans to speculate that the bout was fixed, but Prenga has taken issue with such allegations.
Prenga even addressed a tweet by TalkSport host Simon Jordan, who did not allege the fight was fixed but did claim “something [was] not quite right”.
“Not having that … #anthonyjoshua fight,” Jordan tweeted. “Dropped twice and sets the tempo, how’s that ? … Prenga totally different in 2nd. Something not quite right , all designed to rinse maximum amount of money …”
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Frank Smith, of Joshua’s promoters Matchroom Boxing, and AJ’s team member Sergey Lapin both dismissed Jordan’s words. And now, Prenga has done the same.
“What do I make of Simon Jordan’s comments? Completely false, and irresponsible for anyone to suggest it,” Prenga told SveaCasino. “AJ and I have integrity, we would never engage in this stupidity.
“I felt I needed to preserve energy and catch my breath, so I thought I would start slow [in round two] and replenish my energy. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, and that slower pace allowed AJ to flip control of the fight to him.”
Prenga’s words tally with the corner advice he received after round one, with his team asking him not to rush in the second frame.
Joshua climbs off the canvas after one of two first-round knockdowns (Getty)
Prenga also suggested that sickness during his fight camp might have affected his performance against AJ, 36.
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“What did I learn?” Prenga said. “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.”
Joshua’s chaotic win over Prenga seemingly keeps a super-fight with Fury intact, with the victory coming one day after Fury stopped a 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in seven rounds. That bout took place in Thailand and was not broadcast anywhere.
Up until last weekend, Fury vs Joshua was mooted to take place at London’s Wembley Stadium in November, with ring walks potentially taking place at 2am GMT – per Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh. However, it has since been suggested that the US is still a possible location for the fight.
“It is tough to predict these things,” Prenga said of the planned clash between former world champions. “I think both are tough and good fighters, but AJ knocks Tyson Fury out.
“I would fight Tyson any day. He ran his mouth before my fight with AJ. I would welcome showing him my Albanian power in the ring anytime he is ready for it!”
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