JOSHUA FACES PRENGA IN SAUDI ARABIA BOUT

Anthony Joshua fought Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia in a bout Joshua's team has positioned as preparation for a future fight against Tyson Fury. Prenga, an Albanian boxer, compiled a record of 20 wins and one loss across a ten-year professional career. Joshua gave up 10 pounds to Prenga ahead of the fight.

Prenga turned professional in Germany before boxing in Canada and then the eastern United States, where he has been based in New Jersey since 2022. He holds a knockout record in all but one of his professional fights—his sole defeat came in his fifth bout in 2017. Prenga began his career fighting primarily to earn income whilst awaiting a significant opportunity. He joined forces with manager Keith Sullivan, a New York-based attorney, in February after the two had been in discussion for approximately one year. Sullivan also manages welterweight Paddy Donovan and operates a law practice. Prenga trained for the Joshua bout under the guidance of Muhammad Salaam.

Joshua has been stopped in previous fights. The bout against Prenga marked Joshua's return to competition following what one report described as the loss of two friends in a car crash. No world title was at stake in the contest.