Joshua not ready for friends' deaths to 'sink in' ahead of ring return

Anthony Joshua is steeling himself for his return to the boxing ring, his first fight since a devastating car crash in Nigeria claimed the lives of two close friends and team members. The heavyweight boxer sustained minor injuries in the December 2026 collision that killed Sina Ghami, his rehabilitation coach of over a decade, and personal trainer Latif Ayodele.

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It's tough, every time I think about it, it hurts.

Joshua, who shared a video of himself playing table tennis with Ayodele hours before the crash, spoke of the profound pain of their loss. "It's tough, every time I think about it, it hurts," he told BBC Sport. "If I stop, you let it sink in and I'm not ready for it to sink in yet." He is preparing to face Kristian Prenga on Saturday, his first contest since knocking out Jake Paul.

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If I stop, you let it sink in and I'm not ready for it to sink in yet.

The upcoming bout is a significant step as Joshua navigates his grief. He admitted to feeling "a little bit nervous" but emphasized his understanding of his role and his desire to make his team proud. "It's a balance of nerves but I understand what my job is," he said.

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It's a balance of nerves but I understand what my job is.

Meanwhile, a highly anticipated fight between Joshua and fellow Briton Tyson Fury is on the horizon, contingent on both fighters winning their respective upcoming bouts. Fury is scheduled to fight Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, the night before Joshua's match in Saudi Arabia. Joshua, who previously declined an invitation to face-off with Fury, suggested a confrontation could happen within the next four to six weeks if not immediately after his fight.

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If it's not Saturday night where we face-off, it will be within the next four to six weeks.