JOSHUA BATTLES GRIEF AHEAD OF FIRST FIGHT SINCE FATAL CRASH
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua says he is still struggling to come to terms with the deaths of two close friends and members of his support team as he prepares for his first fight since the tragic accident.
Joshua will return to the ring on Saturday to face Albania’s Kristian Prenga, marking his first bout since the December 2025 crash that claimed the lives of his long-time rehabilitation coach, Sina Ghami, and close friend and personal trainer, Latif Ayodele.
The pair died on December 29, 2025, when the vehicle carrying them, Joshua and a driver collided with a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos. Joshua escaped with minor injuries.
Speaking ahead of the fight, the former world heavyweight champion admitted the emotional impact of the tragedy remains overwhelming.
“It is tough. Every time I think about it, it hurts. Even talking about it now, looking at pictures, it hurts. I keep my mind occupied because if I stop and let it sink in, I am not ready for that yet,” Joshua told the BBC.
Ghami had worked as Joshua’s full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for more than a decade, while Ayodele, a personal trainer, had been one of the boxer’s closest friends for many years.
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Just hours before the fatal accident, Joshua had shared a video on Instagram showing himself playing table tennis with Ayodele.
Saturday’s contest against Prenga will also be Joshua’s first appearance since suffering a knockout defeat to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
Despite his experience, the 36-year-old admitted to feeling nervous ahead of his return.
“It is competition at the highest level. I want to perform for my team, make them proud and make myself proud. There are nerves, but I know what my job is. I have clarity and understanding of what I need to do,” he said.
A highly anticipated all-British showdown between Joshua and Tyson Fury is still expected later this year, provided both fighters emerge victorious in their respective bouts this weekend.
Fury is scheduled to face Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday, while Joshua will take on Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a day later.
With the two fights taking place on consecutive days, Fury could attend Joshua’s bout. Although Joshua previously declined Fury’s invitation for an in-ring face-off after Fury’s victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, he suggested such a meeting could happen soon.
“I am not overlooking Prenga. This is a huge fight for me. God willing, everything goes according to plan. If we don’t face off on Saturday night, it will happen within the next four to six weeks,” Joshua said.
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