British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has spoken candidly about the devastating loss of two close friends and trusted members of his support team, admitting he is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy as he prepares for his return to the ring.
Joshua will step back into competitive action on Saturday against Albania’s Kristian Prenga, marking his first fight since the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele in Nigeria.
The two men died on 29 December, 2025, when the vehicle carrying them, Joshua and a driver collided with a stationary truck on a major highway near Lagos. While the former two-time heavyweight world champion escaped with minor injuries, the emotional scars of the incident remain raw.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of his comeback, Joshua admitted he has deliberately immersed himself in work because he is not emotionally ready to fully process the loss.
“It is tough, every time I think about it, it hurts. Even talking about it now, pictures, it hurts, but I keep my mind occupied. If I stop, you let it sink in, and I am not ready for it to sink in yet.”
