ANTHONY JOSHUA is fighting on following the devastating death of his two friends to honour their memories and protect their parents.
At the end of last year, the 36-year-old was involved in a sickening Nigeria car crash that snuffed out the young lives of pals and team members Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
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Anthony Joshua is fighting on for the families of his two fallen friends Credit: Getty
AJ has signed a lucrative two-fight deal which includes a scrap with Tyson Fury Credit: Getty
The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist somehow escaped from the horror smash only with battered ribs.
But he would have had a gruesome view of the tragic way his mates lost their lives and those psychological scars are unlikely to ever heal.
If the Watford hulk had chosen to walk away from the brutal sport then, every British boxing fan would have respected his decision, after enduring such visceral heartbreak.
Instead he has signed a two-fight deal, to meet Albanian underdog Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Saudi Arabia and, hopefully, 37-year-old Tyson Fury in a long-awaited battle of Britain bout before the end of the year.
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When asked if the new additional duty to carry on the names of his fallen brothers now made him an even more formidable force, 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.
“But I am just there for their parents. That’s No 1 for me, just being a good soldier for them and looking after the boys’ parents.”
The mothers of both men were in the York Hall ring on May 3 to see Yaser El Ghena, another boxer who, like AJ, honed his skills at Finchley ABC, win the biggest fight of his 16-0 small-hall career.
Joshua’s professional record stands at 29 wins and four losses Credit: Getty
The 36-year-old is still one of the most followed British fighters in boxing Credit: Getty
And Joshua watched alongside his two dedicated compadres’ proud mums as their sons’ lives were celebrated at the iconic East London boxing venue.
He said: “The boys were loved and there’s a few of us boxers who knew Latz and Sina.
“It’s all love and that’s really good to see from my perspective.”
Joshua fulfilled all of his media duties with decency and openness.
He was, in fact, forced to conduct his national newspaper round table standing up in a dark room while an air conditioning unit leaked into a nearby bucket.
But they were the only waterworks at the Shepherds Bush venue in West London, as the Team GB hero and former two-time world heavyweight champion vowed to maintain a stiff upper lip.
Recalling the experience grieving the loss of his two pals, Joshua explained: “Everyone is different.
“For me, I have to put my emotions to one side and focus on the parents.
“My emotions can come at a later stage, I look at the parents and know it must be most difficult for them.
“So I don’t make it about me. I make it about them and the mums and dads of the two boys.
Joshua is fighting Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25 Credit: Getty
Joshua will go in as a massive favourite to get the job done against Prenga Credit: Getty
“Everyone deals with things differently. But I think, for me, that’s the best way. I’m handling the situation that it’s not about me. It’s bigger than me.”
Another silly-money Saudi deal will help Joshua make the two affected families as financially comfortable as possible.
And the focus of two more fights — and potentially three more years in the ring — will help him with any demons that may follow him.
Joshua said: “This is my purpose. Boxing is not only good for the competition, It’s quite therapeutic.
“It gives us purpose and us fighters need purpose and that’s what it does for me.
“I think, I KNOW, that this is the place where I’m most comfortable.
“It gives me a little purpose in my life. So yeah, I am content to be with you guys.”
If AJ can cope with another training camp — under new mentor and two-time conqueror Oleksandr Usyk — and all the fascination and intrusion into his mental health following such a tragedy, then it will be three thrilling years before he closes the curtain on his career.
Prenga, 35, should be a pushover but finally facing Fury — probably twice — will be the perfect way to bow out.
He explained: “They put a two-fight deal in front of me.
Joshua’s fight with Fury is being lined up for late 2026 Credit: Getty
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to make a comeback after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
June
Sat 6 – Fame Fighting v Misfits Boxing – The Jattvibe
Sat 6 – Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – European Super Featherweight title – DAZN
Sat 6 – Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki – Sky Sports
Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
Sat 13 – Antonio Vargas vs Jesse “Bam” Rodrigues – DAZN
Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
July
Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
“I could have said ‘no, give me one. I only want to focus on Prenga’.
“But having a two-fight deal laid out in front of me was a big deal.
“I know what my duties are this year. I’ve got an important year ahead of me and an important fight ahead of me in eight weeks.
“About two months ago I started training but there’s levels to training and it was probably about two months ago where I really started ramping things up.
“It’s been good, pre-camp I was solid and now I am gradually getting fitter.
“But I am physically stronger and I am in a good place for where I can push myself on.
“I am mentally very strong, very strong.”
Strong enough for three more years as the most targeted heavyweight in British boxing?
He said: “I think I might go on until 40. I am 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it goes quick.
“Obviously it’s going to be tough, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it.”
