Joshua Draws Strength for Friends’ Families Ahead of Return to the Ring

Anthony Joshua has revealed that he is channeling his energy "as a soldier" to support the grieving parents of two close friends who tragically lost their lives in a car accident. The British heavyweight is currently preparing for his comeback to the sport, set to take on lesser-known Albanian contender Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25.

Joshua, 36, was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the December crash in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele. The fighter sustained only minor injuries in the incident. Speaking on the 5 Live Boxing podcast, Joshua reflected on the profound impact of the tragedy.

"You never overcome it, but you do gain perspective in life," Joshua said. "Life can be humbling, and you never truly know your fate. As a soldier, my primary duty is to stand strong for their parents. This moment isn’t about me; it is crucial that I prioritize their family right now. I will have my own time to grieve, but my heart and mind dictate that their parents are my main concern at this juncture."

The two-time world champion addressed these sentiments during a press conference in London on Monday, where he met Prenga face-to-face for the first time. A victory over Prenga would pave the way for a long-anticipated unification bout against Tyson Fury later this year. Although Joshua and Fury have dominated British heavyweight boxing for over a decade, they have never fought each other.

Both fighters are expected to secure career-high earnings for the showdown, with October or November identified as the likely windows for the event. However, the fight remains contingent on Joshua successfully navigating the challenge against Prenga. Meanwhile, Fury is reportedly organizing an interim bout, possibly in Dublin on August 1, against an opponent who has yet to be announced.

Promoter Eddie Hearn discussed the timeline on the podcast, noting that Joshua was optimistic about 2026 following his December victory over Jake Paul. Initially, plans were in place for Joshua to face kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in March before moving on to Fury in August. However, the crash occurred just ten days later. "And then, obviously, the world came crashing down," Hearn remarked.

Despite the somber backdrop, Joshua appeared relaxed and in good spirits during the conference, dressed in a tracksuit and sunglasses. He emphasized a renewed sense of purpose. "I still possess that fire, and I know I belong here," Joshua stated. "I don’t treat this lightly. I do it because it is what I excel at, and I intend to prove it this year and in the years to come."

Consistent with his usual demeanor, Joshua offered measured and philosophical responses rather than dramatic assertions. He discussed his ambition to become a three-time heavyweight world champion and his training sessions with former rival and current training partner Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua credited their collaboration for enhancing his "boxing fitness, IQ, and defense."

"I can now read punches effectively again. My focus is completely locked in," he added.

Prenga, 35, arrives in Riyadh with a record of 20 wins, all by stoppage, and one loss. Now residing in New Jersey, the underdog is entering the most significant fight of his career. "I am training harder than ever," Prenga said. "I feel great and ready. I believe I am going to shock the world."

Although Prenga’s last three fights ended in first-round stoppages, he has never competed against an opponent of Joshua’s caliber and remains relatively obscure even among dedicated boxing fans. While Joshua is heavily favored to win comfortably, heavyweight boxing has a history of unpredictability. Few observers predicted that kickboxing star Verhoeven would pose such a significant challenge to Usyk in his recent bout.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 18:15:23 UTC