Anthony Joshua has opened up on how he continues to deal with the deaths of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, six months after he survived a car crash that claimed their lives.
In December, Joshua was a passenger in a motorway accident in Nigeria, as were Ghami and Ayodele. Former world heavyweight champion “AJ” was left injured, while his teammates were killed, just 10 days after Joshua had beaten YouTuber Jake Paul in a fight in Miami.
Joshua was quick to return to training, and in April it was announced that he will box Kristian Prenga on 25 July, with the Saudi Arabia bout serving as a warm-up fight for a clash with Tyson Fury later this year.
On Monday, Joshua and Prenga spoke at a launch press conference in London, with AJ first talking to The Independent and other outlets.
Speaking about how he has dealt with the aftermath of December’s crash, Joshua said: “Everyone’s different. For me, I have to put my emotion to the side, because I’m focused on the parents if I’m honest.
“My emotions can come at a later stage, but I really look at their parents and understand that it must be most difficult for them. So, I don’t make it about me; I make it about them. I make it about the mums and the dads of the two boys.
“[Burying it is] not [the best way] for everyone. Everyone deals with it differently, but I think – for me – that’s the best way I’m handling the situation. It’s not about me, it’s bigger than me.
“All of the boys, there’s a few of us that knew Latz, knew Sina. It’s love. It’s good to see from my perspective, it’s really good to see.”
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Joshua suggested, however, that his dedication to the sport has not necessarily increased as he bids to fight in honour of his late friends. “I’ve always been dedicated, definitely, I’ve always been dedicated,” the 36-year-old said. “It’s not about being ‘more’; it’s different, it’s definitely different.
“But I’m just there for their parents. That’s – for me – number one: being a good soldier for them. Got to look after the boys’ parents.”
Joshua also said he had not considered retiring from boxing as a result of the crash, saying: “No, because this is my purpose. Boxing is not only good for the competitive side of things; it’s quite therapeutic. It gives us purpose. Us fighters have got purpose.
“That’s what it does for me, and I think this is a place where… I know it is the place where I am most comfortable. It gives me a purpose in my life, so yeah, I’m content being here with you guys. This is where I’m most comfortable.
“Really, about two months ago [I felt ready to fight]. I was training, but there’s levels to training. So, around two months ago, I started really ramping things up. It’s been good.“
When asked whether being “ready” referred to his physical or mental state, Joshua said: “Physically. Mentally [I feel] very strong, mentally very strong. Physically just got to get yourself back to basically sparring, if I’m honest.
“Obviously there’s going to be really tough nights, but I have to go through these tough nights to get the job done.”
The date of Joshua’s fight with Fury, 37, is not yet known, but it could take place at London’s Wembley Stadium in October or November.
Fury last boxed in April, outpointing Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Joshua watched from ringside.
Fury has since expressed a desire to emulate his fellow Briton and take a warm-up fight for their bout. Specifically, Fury has suggested that he would like to box in Dublin on 1 April.
