Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga is making his mark in America with heavy hands

There are some boxers who carry out all the punching mechanics accurately, however couldn’t bust a grape in a meals struggle. Then there are those that have been born with dynamite of their palms, and solely discover out as soon as they come upon the game.

Kristian Prenga suits into the latter class. The Albanian heavyweight has a fear-inspiring report of 12-1 (12 knockouts), however his formidability extends past what’s on paper. The legitimacy of his punching energy is one thing that sparring companions have rapidly realized.

“There’s plenty of occasions the place I punch them proper on the brow after which the boxers complain that they bought hit on the again of the pinnacle,” mentioned Prenga, a 6’5”, 250-pound huge man.

Coach Muhammad Abdul Salaam says there may be normally no downside getting folks to spar with the 32-year-old Prenga. His pleasant persona and unassuming shadowboxing is disarming, however the shock his sparring companions expertise makes it robust to get repeat periods.

“If he was 120 kilos he would nonetheless have that energy. It’s simply in his genetics. It’s gotta be God given,” mentioned Abdul Salaam.

Prenga will look to reveal that energy as soon as once more this Saturday, March 25 when he faces Samuel Crossed (11-3-1, 7 KOs) within the ten-round major occasion of the Rising Star Promotions card at Boardwalk Corridor in Atlantic Metropolis.

Prenga says he is aware of little about his opponent, a 35-year-old from Maryland who has fought completely as a cruiserweight. His greatest platform thus far was a November 2021 matchup with present WBC cruiserweight titleholder Badou Jack in Dubai, the place he misplaced by second spherical knockout.

If Prenga’s energy has any roots in his upbringing, it could have come from his childhood rising up in Orosh, Albania. There within the small village within the nation’s northern part, he helped his father gather lumber from the forest to maintain meals on the desk.

He gravitated in direction of fight sports activities as a young person, starting with Taekwondo earlier than making an attempt out kickboxing as a 20-year-old. Prenga had about 40 kickboxing fights, profitable European championships in 2016 and 2017, however realized early on that his ardour was for The Candy Science.

He had his first professional boxing struggle in 2016, and received his first 4 fights in Germany. With out the recommendation of a supervisor, Prenga accepted a rematch towards Giovanni Auriemma, whom he had beforehand stopped in 4 rounds in Auriemma’s house nation of the Netherlands. This time, the bout went the eight-round distance, and Prenga suffered a damaged proper hand. The referee, who was additionally the lone decide, gave the struggle to Auriemma in a call that Prenga nonetheless disputes.

“I tousled his face, he was bleeding. He’s not doing something. Perhaps as a result of in his nation they gave him the choice although he regarded like he was in a foul automotive accident,” mentioned Prenga.

The loss didn’t deter Lennox Lewis from displaying curiosity in Prenga. The heavyweight boxing legend was working with a Canadian promotional firm, International Legacy Boxing, and provided Prenga a struggle in Canada simply 4 months later. Prenga relocated to Canada and received 5 fights there.

Prenga took benefit of the chance to absorb recommendation from the previous undisputed heavyweight champion.

“One piece of recommendation that caught with me is he instructed me you’ve gotta be like a fisherman. It’s important to be affected person in boxing. You throw the hook in whenever you go fishing and also you simply go away it there and anticipate the fish to come back to you. It’s important to anticipate the suitable second for the catch,” mentioned Prenga.

Lockdowns through the COVID-19 pandemic, plus the dearth of native sparring companions, satisfied Prenga to look in direction of the USA for better alternatives.

It’s there the place he linked up with Abdul Salaam, who trains him out of the Lyndhurst Boxing Gymnasium in Lyndhurst, N.J. Abdul Salaam, who beforehand skilled Vito Mielnicki Jr., has labored for the previous 12 months and a half on making ready Prenga for the subsequent degree of the game.

“It wasn’t that he was stiff, he was an excessive amount of far and wide. We needed to tighten him up. He’s an important athlete. He was utilizing the athleticism an excessive amount of as an alternative of sitting on among the punches,” mentioned Abdul Salaam.

“He’s coming alongside sooner than I believed, however there’s nonetheless loads to scrub up. However the one factor is that he’s keen to be taught. It’s important to chase him out of the fitness center.”

Saturday’s struggle will likely be his third in America, a feat he has completed with out the advantage of a promoter or supervisor. Prenga has change into one of many greatest native ticket sellers in New Jersey boxing because of the assist he receives from the Albanian neighborhood, which packs ballrooms to observe his fights.

“All Albanians, we assist each other. The truth that again house all people knew my identify and knew of me and the way a lot I wish to make all of them proud, once I got here right here it was simpler for them to assist me,” mentioned Prenga.

Amongst these supporters is Elvir Muriqi, a former mild heavyweight contender who had as soon as been the most well-liked Albanian fighter in America throughout his ascension twenty years in the past. He isn’t stunned that Prenga has caught on along with his compatriots this rapidly.

“Albanian folks will embrace you if you’re respectful individual, a arise individual, patriotic and a gentleman, and that’s what KP is,” mentioned Muriqi. “He’s a tough employee, he’s a gifted fighter and really highly effective. I believe along with his self perception he’ll go far.”

Abdul Salaam believes Prenga is correct in his bodily prime, and needs him to proceed combating as typically as potential to stave off and proceed his growth.

For now, Prenga is heeding the recommendation he obtained from Lewis, being the affected person fisherman in his profession, ready for the suitable time to reel in a giant heavyweight opponent.

“I might be prepared as quickly as tomorrow. I’m not afraid to go in entrance of anybody, I simply wish to construct my expertise a bit of extra. Perhaps a 12 months, possibly a bit of ahead of that, however I’m trying ahead to combating the highest guys,” mentioned Prenga.

Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Each day Information, Rappler and The Guardian, and is a part of the Craig Newmark Graduate Faculty of Journalism Class of 2020. He might be reached at [email protected].