Anthony Joshua holds again tears in tribute to mates killed in crash after KO win
Anthony Joshua lost two close friends and training team members in a tragic car crash in Nigeria in December, and he paid an emotional tribute to them after his return to the ring
Anthony Joshua paid an emotional tribute to his late friends(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Anthony Joshua had to bravely hold back his tears in the ring following his knockout victory over Kristian Prenga on an emotional rollercoaster night for the former world heavyweight champion.
AJ paid tribute to close friends Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami after he returned to the ring on Saturday night – only months after being involved in a tragic accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his two pals. Joshua’s late friends were also integral members of his tight-knit training team and their deaths impacted him heavily.
The 36-year-old narrowly escaped death when the car he and three others were travelling in collided with a lorry on a Nigerian motorway last December. However, the courageous Brit made an inspiring recovery and was soon back in action, setting his sights on confirming his all-British clash with Tyson Fury.
Anthony Joshua knocked out Kristian Prenga(Image: Getty Images)
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The ‘Gypsy King’ secured his victory on Friday night, forcing Mariusz Wach to retire on his stool in a behind-closed-doors bout in Thailand.
However, ‘AJ’ nearly saw his blockbuster payday fight with Fury slip through his fingers after he was floored in the opening seconds by Prenga. The Watford-born fighter managed to recover, but was knocked down again before finally making it to the second round.
The 36 year old went on to knock out the Albanian towards the end of the second round with a devastating left hand.
AJ was knocked down twice in the first round(Image: Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)
Latif Ayodele (left) and Sina Ghami (right) were close friends and team members of Anthony Joshua
Speaking after the victory, Joshua said: “I am a serious fighter and I know what to do around the ring. He [Prenga] gave me a good test but we got up and that’s what champions do.
“That was more than power – that was Sina and Latz and family. I can’t even talk about it. It’s been tough..”
The British fighter was clearly moved and needed a moment to gather himself before returning to discuss his display. “They were my brothers – I don’t want to talk about it,” he went on. “I learned I cannot be stopped or denied. I am coming, trust me.”
AJ has set up a blockbuster fight with Tyson Fury(Image: Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)
While much of the post-fight discussion centred on Fury, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn was swift to commend his star fighter’s resilience following everything he has endured over recent months. “We have signed the contracts. Everything is done,” the Matchroom chief said.
“To be honest with you, tonight is all about the strength AJ has showed to even be here tonight – and the strength in that fight. No one can imagine what he has been through and during that first fight I was thinking, ‘we have come back too soon’.
“He needed boxing to help him come through this. It allowed him to focus his mind while he was going through so much grief and pain. He is a strong man and likes to deal with his problems on his own – I am not saying that is the right way but it is his way. When your career could be over, you have to go the depths one more time, like he has always done.”
