Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua will return to the ring this Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to face Kristian Prenga. The bout marks Joshua’s first contest since the 29 December 2025 death of two close team members in a vehicle collision near Lagos, Nigeria, an event the 36-year-old says he is still processing.
The Return to Competition Following Personal Loss
Anthony Joshua is preparing for his first fight following the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who were killed when their vehicle struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos on 29 December 2025. Joshua, who was in the vehicle at the time, sustained minor injuries during the collision. Ghami, who had worked as Joshua’s full-time sport and exercise rehabilitation coach for over a decade, and Ayodele, a personal trainer and long-time friend, were both integral members of his team.
In the lead-up to his return, Joshua has spoken candidly about the difficulty of balancing his professional obligations with his personal grief. It’s tough, every time I think about it, it hurts,
Joshua told BBC Sport. He explained that he has been intentionally keeping his mind occupied to avoid confronting the full emotional weight of the loss, noting, If I stop, you let it sink in and I’m not ready for it to sink in yet.
Professional Stakes Against Kristian Prenga
Saturday’s fight against heavyweight Kristian Prenga serves as a significant professional milestone for the 36-year-old, coming nearly 10 months after his knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September 2024. This match is also his first appearance since he defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, a bout that took place just 10 days before the fatal accident in Nigeria.
Despite the emotional strain, Joshua maintains a clear focus on the requirements of his sport. I want to perform for my team, I want to make them proud and make myself proud.
It’s a balance of nerves but I understand what my job is.
Joshua admitted to feeling a little bit nervous
about the return, but emphasized that he possesses the clarity needed to execute his game plan.
The Potential ‘Battle of Britain’ Against Tyson Fury
Beyond the immediate challenge of Prenga, the boxing world remains focused on a potential high-profile matchup between Joshua and Tyson Fury. The two British heavyweights have been linked to a future bout, though both men face interim tests this week. Fury is scheduled to fight Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday, one night before Joshua takes on Prenga.
The proximity of the two fight locations—and the scheduling of the events—has fueled speculation that the two rivals could cross paths shortly. While Joshua declined a previous invitation to face off with Fury earlier this year, he acknowledged that a meeting is likely on the horizon. I’m not overlooking Prenga. This is a big deal for me this fight,
Joshua stated. If it’s not Saturday night where we face-off, it will be within the next four to six weeks.
Clarity and Future Focus
Joshua characterizes this period of his career as a critical juncture, emphasizing the importance of staying the course despite the personal tragedy he has endured. He framed the upcoming months as a decisive window, noting that winning his current and future bouts would be a big mark to leave on the sport.
Whether the long-anticipated collision with Fury materializes depends on the outcomes of their respective matches this week. As Joshua prepares for the ring in Jeddah, he remains focused on the immediate task while acknowledging the dual nature of his current path: It’s going to be challenging but I can be the coward or the hero and I have to decide what I want to be.
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