Joshua says he stands strong as soldier for friends’ parents
Anthony Joshua said he is standing strong “as a soldier” for the parents of two close friends killed in a car crash in Nigeria in December, in which he was a passenger and sustained minor injuries. The two-time heavyweight world champion, 36, was speaking ahead of his first fight since the accident, against Albanian Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on 25 July. Joshua told the 5 Live Boxing podcast that he prioritises the parents of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, and that victory over Prenga would clear the path for a long-awaited showdown against Tyson Fury later this year. An agreement for a Fury fight is in place, with October or November as likely target dates, but only if Joshua wins. Prenga, 35, enters as a heavy underdog with a 20-win stoppage record, and said he plans to “shock the world”. Joshua and Prenga met for the first time at a news conference in London, where they shared a lengthy face-off that ended with a handshake.
What’s reported
Joshua was a passenger in a car crash in Nigeria in December that killed two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Joshua sustained minor injuries in the crash.
He will face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on 25 July in his first fight since the accident.
Joshua said he stands strong “as a soldier” for the friends’ parents and puts them first.
Victory would clear the path for a fight against Tyson Fury later this year, with an agreement in place and October or November as likely dates.
Prenga has 20 wins, all by stoppage, and one defeat; his previous three fights ended in first-round stoppages.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said Joshua was planning a March fight against Rico Verhoeven before the crash happened 10 days after December’s win over Jake Paul.
Joshua said he has improved his boxing fitness, IQ, and defence while working with Oleksandr Usyk.
Open questions
The specific circumstances of the car crash in Nigeria are not detailed beyond Joshua being a passenger and the two friends dying.
The identity of Prenga’s one defeat and his previous opponents are not provided.
The exact date in December of the crash is not given.
The nature of Joshua’s minor injuries is not specified.
Key figures
Anthony Joshua – two-time heavyweight world champion, 2012 Olympic gold medallist, passenger in the crash.
Kristian Prenga – Albanian heavyweight boxer, Joshua’s opponent on 25 July.
Sina Ghami – close friend of Joshua killed in the crash.
Latif Ayodele – close friend of Joshua killed in the crash.
Eddie Hearn – Joshua’s promoter, quoted on the 5 Live Boxing podcast.
Oleksandr Usyk – former rival and current gym-mate of Joshua.
Tyson Fury – heavyweight boxer, potential future opponent for Joshua.
Sources: BBC News
