Anthony Joshua’s shifting reply why he will not stop boxing after finest buddies’ tragic deaths
Anthony Joshua has vowed to fight on in the name of his two close friends who died in a horrific car crash last year and support their families as he prepares to return to the ring
Anthony Joshua will return to the ring for the first time since being involved in a fatal car crash(Image: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)
Anthony Joshua has pledged to keep fighting and care for the parents of two mates he lost in a devastating car accident last year. The British heavyweight was involved in a horrific collision in December when the Jeep he was travelling in smashed into a stationary lorry.
Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, both died at the scene. He hasn’t stepped into the ring since, but is now just a month away from his comeback bout against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking before that clash, Joshua has vowed to ensure both Ayodele and Ghami’s parents will always be supported. He said: “I’ve always been dedicated. Definitely always been dedicated. It’s not about being ‘more’ anything, it’s different. It’s definitely different.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
“I’m just there for their parents. Number one is being a good soldier for them. Gotta look after the boys’ parents.”
When asked if he’s had to hide his pain since the crash, Joshua responded: “Everyone’s different. Me, I have to put my emotions to the side because I focus on the parents. My emotions can come at a later stage.
“I really look at the parents and I understand 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.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn also shared his thoughts on the boxer’s comeback and commended his attitude. He also disclosed he’d harboured doubts about whether Joshua would return at all. He stated: “You’re talking about six months where he was involved in a tragic accident.
“Physically, he was seriously damaged in that accident. Mentally and emotionally, you can only imagine what was going through his mind. What he has done to pull himself back, physically and emotionally with this driving force. He’s more dangerous than he’s been before.
“After the accident, you never know if you’re ever going to be the same. I don’t think you can be. I don’t think it’s something you ever get over.
“You’re in it. He experienced it. He saw everything. You can only imagine what he felt like losing his two best friends in that moment. He’s come back with this purpose to support and be there for those families but also come back with this driving force.
“Don’t forget, those two people were two of his biggest supporters, they were two of his greatest friends. They wanted him to succeed more than anything. They actually dedicated their own lives to the movement of AJ and achieving his dreams in the sport and I think he’s carrying that purpose.
“And what he’s done as a man, he’s stepped up on so many different levels here to say ‘no, boxing is my purpose’.
“Before he could even get into camp, he had to do three months of rehab, the menial stuff, being on a bike for three hours a day. Doing little movements with his body. I didn’t know physically if he would ever return to boxing. Mentally is a different thing.”
