Anthony Joshua prepares for first fight after losing close friends
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 22, 2026, 10:20 PM
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
Anthony Joshua is set to face Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday for his first fight since the tragic deaths of his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, in a car accident near Lagos, Nigeria, on December 29, 2026. Joshua, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, expressed that he is not ready for the loss to fully affect him yet. He aims to honor his late friends while facing Prenga, as he tries to regain momentum following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024. Joshua remains focused on this fight while also hinting at a potential showdown with Tyson Fury later this year, depending on their respective outcomes.
- •Joshua faces Prenga in Jeddah on Saturday.
- •He lost close friends in a December car accident.
- •This is Joshua's first fight since a knockout loss in 2024.
- •He aims to perform for his late friends' memory.
- •A future fight with Fury could be on the horizon.
- 10:20 PMYahoo Sports — Joshua not ready for death of friends to 'sink in'
- 10:20 PMBBC Sport — Joshua not ready for death of friends to 'sink in'
"Anthony Joshua says he is not ready for the loss of his two close friends and team members to "sink in yet" as he prepares for his first fight since their death.
"Anthony Joshua says he is not ready for the loss of his two close friends and team members to "sink in yet" as he prepares for his first fight since their death.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 22, 2026, 10:20 PMJoshua not ready for death of friends to 'sink in'
Anthony Joshua says he is not ready for the loss of his two close friends and team members to "sink in yet" as he prepares for his first fight since their death.
- BBC SportJul 22, 2026, 10:20 PMJoshua not ready for death of friends to 'sink in'
Anthony Joshua says he is not ready for the loss of his two close friends and team members to "sink in yet" as he prepares for his first fight since their death.
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