Who is Kristian Prenga? Pro record, knockout ratio for Anthony Joshua's heavyweight boxing comeback opponent

Anthony Joshua returns to the boxing ring for the first time in 2025 on July 25.

The former two-time unified world champion last fought a legitimate heavyweight boxer when he was stopped inside five rounds by fellow Briton Daniel Dubois in an unsuccessful challenge for the IBF title in September 2024.

After a lengthy lay-off, Joshua knocked out YouTube crossover star Jake Paul in Miami last December before another enforced absence.

Joshua was a passenger in a fatal car crash near Lagos, Nigeria, which killed his team members and close friends Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele on December 29, 2025.

After recovering from his injuries, Joshua will step back through the ropes in a comeback bout expected to pave the way for a long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.

But what do we know about Kristian Prenga, the little-known big man in the opposite corner with designs on ripping up the best-laid plans?

MORE: Anthony Joshua talks comeback from fatal crash and Tyson Fury jibes: 'It's not about me; it's bigger than me'

Kristian Prenga age, pro boxing record, knockout ratio

Kristrian Prenga is a 35-year-old Albanian heavyweight boxer based in New Jersey, United States.

He has a professional record of 20 wins and one defeat, with all 20 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

However, that impressive record on paper has been amassed against moderate opposition. Prenga has only been scheduled to fight 10 rounds three times in his career and has never had to box over the 12-round championship distance.

In each of his past three fights, Prenga has won via first-round knockout. He previously campaigned as a kickboxer.

Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing

Kristian Prenga best win

Prenga's most notable opponent, especially in the context of the Joshua fight is American Joey Dawejko, who to 'KP' when he withdrew with a shoulder injury in the fifth round of their October 2024 encounter. 

The short, stocky Dawejko was brought in as a sparring partner for Joshua's ill-fated clash with Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019.

In a 2022 interview with YSM Sports Media, Dawejko declined to comment on speculation that he knocked out Joshua in sparring prior to his first career loss.

Why is Prenga fighting Anthony Joshua?

Ever since he beat Dillian Whyte in a thriller to lift the British heavyweight title back in December 2015, with the exception of the Paul showcase, Joshua has tangled with fighters a couple of rungs or more above Presna in terms of quality and pedigree.

However, the unique combination of Joshua's present circumstances means an opponent of Prensa's level makes sense.

AJ is still acclimatising to working with Oleksandr Usyk's training team, having first linked up for the Paul bout. Throw in the tragic circumstances of the car crash last December, and July's date is as much about seeing how Joshua's body and mind respond to the rigours of training and fight night.

Prensa's KO record brings enough jeopardy for casual fans and is a handy hook for promoters — Joshua's long-time handler Eddie Hearn has already referenced it several times – but the other looming factor is the showdown against Fury that both men have already signed for.

Fury is set to box on August 1 and will similarly take on a theoretically low-risk assignment. After a decade of waiting, the two long-time rivals cannot squander their showdown, as it would probably be gone for good.

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What did Kristian Prenga say about Anthony Joshua?

Speaking to reporters ahead of the launch press conference for his fight with Joshua, Prenga told reporters: "I think he said a warm-up fight before he's going to fight Tyson Fury, but this fight is not going to happen. He's going to cancel the fight with Tyson Fury.

"He's a boxer. I think he's smaller than I expected. Going from Jake Paul to me is like one to 100.

"I feel sorry for him and for his team [about the fatal car crash], but I think it's definitely going to affect him." 

Prenga's manager, Keith Sullivan, added: "The reason they chose KP is they had a bad day and miscalculated.

"When I called KP to give him the great news that I was in negotiations with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom for an AJ fight, the conversation lasted about 30 seconds. He said, 'I'm walking into the gym, I have to train, I'll take the fight'. End of conversation.

"I didn't discuss purses, I didn't discuss locations, I didn't discuss when. This man is filled with an abundance of confidence."