Anthony Joshua says he is still struggling to come to terms with the deaths of two close friends and members of his team as he prepares to step back into the ring for the first time since the tragic accident that claimed their lives.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion will face Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, marking his first fight since defeating American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul by knockout in December.
Just 10 days after that victory, Joshua was involved in a road accident near Lagos, Nigeria, when the vehicle carrying him, his long-time rehabilitation coach Sina Ghami, personal trainer and close friend Latif “Latz” Ayodele, and another passenger collided with a stationary truck. Ghami and Ayodele were killed, while Joshua escaped with minor injuries.
Speaking ahead of his comeback, Joshua admitted the emotional impact of the tragedy remains overwhelming.
He said he has not allowed himself to fully process the loss, explaining that every reminder of his friends still brings pain and that he keeps himself focused because he is not yet ready to let the grief fully sink in.
Ghami had worked with Joshua as his full-time sports rehabilitation coach for more than a decade, while Ayodele had been one of his closest friends and personal trainers. Hours before the fatal crash, Joshua had shared a video of the pair playing table tennis together.
Saturday’s contest will also be Joshua’s first competitive appearance since his knockout defeat to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
Despite his experience, the 36-year-old admitted he still feels nervous before returning to the sport’s highest level. He said his motivation is to deliver a performance that would make both his team and himself proud, adding that he is clear about the task ahead despite the pressure.
A victory over Prenga could set the stage for one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights in British boxing history against Tyson Fury later this year.
Fury is scheduled to face Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday. The veteran Pole is widely expected to be Fury’s final opponent before a long-discussed “Battle of Britain” with Joshua, provided both heavyweights emerge victorious this weekend.
With Fury fighting just one day before Joshua’s bout, there is even the possibility that he could travel to Saudi Arabia and attend the event.
Joshua previously declined Fury’s invitation to meet in the ring after Fury defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov in April, but suggested a face-off could happen soon if everything goes according to plan.
He stressed that his focus remains entirely on Prenga, calling the upcoming fight a major moment in his career. However, he acknowledged that if both he and Fury continue winning, their long-awaited clash could become reality within the next four to six weeks.
Joshua described the potential showdown as an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in boxing, saying the path is in front of him but that he must seize it. While acknowledging the challenge ahead, he said the choice is ultimately between backing away from the moment or embracing it.