'Soldier' Joshua standing strong for friends' parents

ByKal Sajad

BBC Sport boxing journalist at Exhibition White City, London

Anthony Joshua says he is standing strong "as a soldier" for the parents of two close friends killed in a car crash as the British heavyweight prepares for his return to boxing.

The two-time world champion was a passenger in the car when Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele died in Nigeria in December.

In his first fight since the accident, in which Joshua sustained minor injuries, he will face the relatively unknown Albanian Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on 25 July.

"You never overcome it but you gain perspective in life," Joshua, 36, told the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

"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."

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist was speaking before Monday's news conference in London where he came face-to-face with Prenga for the first time.

Victory would clear the path for a long-awaited showdown against Tyson Fury later this year.

For more than a decade, Joshua and Fury have been the defining figures of British heavyweight boxing on the global stage, yet have never shared a ring.

An agreement is in place and both fighters are expected to earn career-high purses when they finally meet, with October or November the likely target dates.

But the fight will only materialise if Joshua takes care of business against Prenga. Fury, meanwhile, is also understood to be planning an interim bout, potentially in Dublin on 1 August against an opponent yet to be named.

Promoter Eddie Hearn told the 5 Live Boxing podcast that Joshua was "happy and excited about 2026" after December's victory against Jake Paul, and that plans had been in place to fight Rico Verhoeven in March before taking on Fury in August.

But 10 days later the crash happened. "And then obviously the world came crashing down," Hearn added.

When the news conference began, the conversation understandably shifted towards the task ahead.

Wearing a tracksuit and sunglasses, Joshua spoke about a renewed sense of focus.

"I've still got that fire and I belong here," Joshua added, appearing relaxed and in good spirits.

"I don't do this as a joke. I do this because it's what I'm good at. I'm going to prove it this year and keep proving it moving forward."

As is often the case, he was philosophical and measured in his answers, speaking calmly and with perspective rather than offering dramatic declarations.

He spoke about his ambitions of becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion, and his time working alongside former rival and now gym-mate Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua said he has improved his "boxing fitness, IQ and defence" through their work together.

"Now I can really read punches again. My eyes are fully locked in," he added.

Prenga arrives with a deceptively eye-catching record of 20 wins, all by stoppage, and one defeat. The 35-year-old now lives in New Jersey in the United States and enters the biggest fight of his career as a heavy underdog.

"I am training hard. I've trained more than ever. I feel great. I feel ready. I think I'm going to shock the world," he said.

Prenga's previous three contests have all ended in first-round stoppages, but he has never faced anyone close to Joshua's calibre and remains largely unknown, even among boxing's most avid followers.

On paper, Joshua should dispatch Prenga comfortably - yet heavyweight boxing has a habit of producing the unexpected. Few predicted kickboxing star Verhoeven would give Usyk such a difficult night last month.

"I'm glad he's underestimating me," Prenga said, insisting he will show Joshua no respect when the opening bell rings.

"I want you to come into the ring and give me no respect and try to do what you think you do best," Joshua replied.

"Because across the ring is someone who will do exactly the same."

The pair shared a face-off that lasted well over a minute. Joshua removed his sunglasses midway through before it ended with a friendly handshake.