British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has said he is staying strong “like a soldier” as he continues to support the parents of two close friends who lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Nigeria.
Joshua revealed that he was a passenger in the vehicle when Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele died in December. He sustained minor injuries in the crash and has since been dealing with the emotional impact while preparing for his return to the ring.
Speaking ahead of his comeback fight, Joshua explained that the experience has changed his outlook on life, adding that some moments cannot be fully overcome but can reshape one’s perspective.
“You never overcome it but you gain perspective in life,” he said. “Life can be very humbling. You never really know what fate has in store.”
He added that his focus at the moment is not on himself, but on the families of his late friends, who he feels responsible for supporting during this difficult period.
“As a soldier, I stand strong for their parents first and foremost,” Joshua said. “This is not about me right now. Their parents are my priority. I will have time to grieve properly later.”
Joshua is set to return to action on July 25 in Riyadh, where he will face Albanian fighter Kristian Prenga. The bout will mark his first fight since the accident.
Ahead of the contest, Joshua came face to face with Prenga at a London press conference, signalling the start of his return journey to competitive boxing.
A win would move him closer to a long anticipated heavyweight clash with Tyson Fury, a fight that has been discussed for over a decade but never realised. Both fighters remain two of the biggest names in British boxing and are expected to earn major purses if the bout finally takes place later in the year, with October or November being considered likely periods.
However, the potential showdown still depends on Joshua coming through his upcoming fight successfully. Fury is also expected to stay active with a possible interim bout being discussed for early August, depending on final arrangements.
