Anthony Joshua opens up about tragic loss of close friends before comeback
Anthony Joshua opens up about the December 2025 road accident near Lagos that killed his longtime coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele, as he prepares for his comeback fight against Albania's Kristian Prenga this Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
The tragedy deeply affected Joshua, who admits he's still struggling emotionally and keeps himself busy with work to avoid processing the grief. Ghami had worked with him for over a decade as his rehabilitation coach, while Ayodele was both his trainer and close friend. This comes after Joshua's knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, making this his first competitive fight in nearly two years.
Joshua tells the BBC he understands his job in the ring despite the nerves, wanting to perform for his team and make them proud. His return comes amid growing anticipation for a potential all-British showdown with Tyson Fury later this year, though Joshua insists he's not overlooking his immediate opponent Prenga. For Joshua, this fight represents an emotional return honoring the memories of two men who were integral to his journey.
How do you balance honoring those who've supported you while moving forward in your own journey, especially when grief still feels raw?