LONDON — Anthony Joshua addressed the December 2025 car crash in Nigeria that killed two people during a London news conference ahead of his scheduled fight against Kristian Prenga on 25 July 2026 in Riyadh. Joshua, who was a passenger in the crash, sustained minor injuries, while Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele died.
"You never overcome it but you gain perspective in life. Life is humbling at times. You never know one's fate. As a soldier, I stand strong for their parents first and foremost. This isn't about me. I feel it's important to put their parents first at the minute. I'll have my time to grieve. But right now, my heart and mind tell me their parents are my main priority," Joshua said.
Joshua appeared alongside Prenga for the first time at the news conference, where the two fighters engaged in a face-off that lasted over a minute before ending with a handshake. Prenga, 35, of New Jersey, holds a professional record of 20 wins—all by stoppage—and one defeat.
Promoter Eddie Hearn referenced the crash as occurring 10 days after Joshua’s December 2025 victory over Jake Paul, which marked Joshua’s 29th win in 33 professional bouts. "And then obviously the world came crashing down," Hearn said.
A victory over Prenga would position Joshua for a potential bout against Tyson Fury later in 2026. An agreement is already in place for a Joshua–Fury fight in October or November 2026, though the two British heavyweights have never faced each other despite over a decade of prominence in the division. Joshua is a two-time world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medallist.