Anthony Joshua not ready to move on before Prenga fight
Anthony Joshua says he is not ready for the deaths of close friends Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele to "sink in yet" as he prepares for Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday—his first fight since a fatal Nigeria crash in December 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Joshua told BBC Sport the loss of Ghami and Ayodele still hurts and he is not ready for it to sink in.
- The pair died on 29 December 2025 after a vehicle carrying Joshua hit a stationary truck near Lagos; Joshua had minor injuries.
- Prenga is Joshua's first opponent since knocking out Jake Paul 10 days before the crash.
- A potential Tyson Fury clash later in 2026 hinges on both men winning their warm-up bouts.
The British heavyweight's return is more than a routine comeback. It is his first ring appearance since tragedy struck his inner circle, and the emotional weight is still raw. For more celebrity and sports crossover coverage, see Celebrity Breaking News.
What did Anthony Joshua say about his friends' deaths?
Speaking to BBC Sport, the 36-year-old former two-time world champion said: "It's tough, every time I think about it, it hurts."
"Even talking about it now... pictures… it hurts but I keep my mind occupied," he added. "If I stop, you let it sink in and I'm not ready for it to sink in yet."
Ghami had been Joshua's full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for more than 10 years. Ayodele, a personal trainer and long-time friend, appeared with Joshua in an Instagram table tennis video hours before the crash.
Why does Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga matter now?
Joshua faces Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on Saturday in Jeddah. It is his first contest since stopping YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, and his first competitive outing since a knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September 2024.
According to BBC Sport, Joshua has not beaten an established heavyweight since Otto Wallin in December 2023. Prenga, 35 and based in New Jersey, has 20 knockout wins and one defeat, but has not faced anyone near Joshua's level. His manager called it a "real-life Rocky moment," while Prenga predicted a knockout win. Joshua said he does not believe Prenga can knock him out, "but only God knows that."
Joshua admitted feeling a "little bit nervous," stressing he wants to perform for his team and himself. At Thursday's Jeddah news conference he appeared relaxed, thanking fans and urging Albanian supporters to bring their energy.
Could a Tyson Fury fight follow if Joshua wins?
A long-awaited bout with fellow Briton Tyson Fury is expected later this year if both win their next fights. Fury meets Poland's Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday—the night before Joshua-Prenga—and could attend the Jeddah card.
Joshua insisted he is not overlooking Prenga. "This is a big deal for me this fight," he said, while asking media to keep the focus on Saturday rather than Fury. Promoter Eddie Hearn said there are "many, many more chapters to write" in Joshua's career, beginning with that potential all-British showdown.
Joshua's record stands at 29 wins—26 inside the distance—and four defeats. He said he has been working hard since January and is "ready for the challenge one million per cent."