Kristian Prenga has entered the spotlight as a potential giant‑killer ahead of his upcoming bout with Anthony Joshua in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and his sparring partner Brandon Moore is confident that the Albanian can pull off an upset reminiscent of Andy Ruiz’s stunning victory over Joshua in 2019. Moore, who works closely with Prenga in the gym, told Sky Sports that the younger heavyweight is looking exceptionally sharp in training and that the fight promises to be an entertaining clash of styles and power.
The backdrop to this matchup is the historic loss Joshua suffered at the hands of Ruiz at Madison Square Garden, where the underdog knocked the British champion out and claimed the IBF, WBA and WBO titles in a moment that shocked the boxing world. Since that night, Joshua has rebuilt his résumé, amassing a 20‑1 record with 20 knockouts, and is now using the Prenga fight as a warm‑up before his highly anticipated winter showdown with Tyson Fury. Despite being the clear favorite on paper, Joshua’s recent inactivity and the natural wear of a long career have led some observers to wonder whether he is vulnerable to another surprise.
Moore believes Prenga possesses the tools to exploit any rust Joshua may be experiencing. "[Prenga] looks really, really, really good in sparring right now. It's going to be a pretty entertaining fight," the sparring partner said, emphasizing the Albanian’s size advantage and power.
While Joshua is known for his muscular build and technical proficiency, Prenga stands taller and carries more mass, which could translate into a physical edge in close quarters. Moore noted, "I think he has a pretty good shot of beating him, and I think he's bigger than Joshua. Joshua just has a muscular physique, but Prenga's a bigger man." The comparison to Ruiz is not made lightly.
Ruiz, a 6‑foot‑1, 260‑pound underdog, used relentless pressure and a relentless jab to overwhelm Joshua in the later rounds of their fight. Moore suggests that Prenga could employ a similar strategy, using his reach and weight to wear down the British champion and catch him with a decisive blow.
"It's going to be a tough fight, but I think he can catch [Joshua] the same way Andy Ruiz did," he explained, underscoring the possibility of a late‑round stoppage or a surprise knockout. Moore also highlighted the psychological aspect of Joshua’s return to the ring. After a period of personal challenges and limited competition, Joshua is stepping back into the spotlight with high expectations. "This is AJ's first fight back.
AJ's had a lot of stuff going on in his life – nothing but respect to AJ, but when you're getting back into the ring, you haven't fought in a while, that ring rust is real," Moore said. The notion of ring rust—loss of timing, reflexes, and sharpness—can be a critical factor, especially against a hungry opponent who has been active and motivated.
Beyond the immediate implications for the Jeddah event, the fight carries broader significance for both fighters' careers. For Prenga, a victory would catapult him into the elite tier of heavyweight boxing, placing his name alongside those who have toppled future Hall of Famers. "I told [Prenga] that he has the opportunity of a lifetime.
He has the opportunity that I would wish for," Moore remarked. "AJ is a great fighter, and he's done amazing things in the sport of boxing. But [Prenga] has the opportunity, you know, to be in the names of people that have beaten future Hall of Famers." Moore also stressed that success hinges on flawless execution. "Everything has to be aligned.
He has to do everything perfectly," he warned, acknowledging that a single lapse could cost Prenga the fight. The Albanian will need to manage distance, maintain stamina, and capitalize on any openings Joshua presents, especially as the bout progresses into the later rounds where fatigue can set in. The fight is expected to draw a global audience, with fans eager to see whether Joshua can reaffirm his dominance or if Prenga will repeat the Ruiz miracle.
The event is also part of a larger boxing schedule that includes other high‑profile match‑ups, such as Johnny Fisher’s bout at the Zuffa Boxing event in the Copper Box Arena, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. In summary, Brandon Moore’s confidence in Kristian Prenga stems from a combination of physical advantages, sharp sparring performances, and the potential vulnerability of a returning Anthony Joshua.
While Joshua remains a formidable champion with a decorated record, the parallels to Ruiz’s upset provide a compelling narrative that could see the Albanian heavyweight claim a career‑defining victory. Whether Prenga can translate his training ground success into a decisive performance in the ring remains to be seen, but the stage is set for a thrilling contest that could reshape the heavyweight landscape.