Anthony Joshua has pledged to look after the parents of the two friends who died in a car crash last December. The British heavyweight boxer was travelling in a Jeep that collided with a stationary truck, killing his personal trainer Latif Ayodele and strength coach Sina Ghami.
Speaking ahead of his return to the ring against Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia, Joshua said: 'I'm just there for their parents. Number one is being a good soldier for them. Gotta look after the boys' parents.' He added that he focuses on the parents' pain rather than his own, saying: 'My emotions can come at a later stage.'
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed concerns about whether Joshua would ever fight again after the accident. Hearn said: 'Physically, he was seriously damaged in that accident. Mentally and emotionally, you can only imagine what was going through his mind.' He noted that Joshua had to undergo three months of rehab before training.
Hearn praised Joshua's determination, stating: 'He's come back with this purpose to support and be there for those families but also come back with this driving force.' He added that Ayodele and Ghami were 'two of his greatest friends' who dedicated their lives to Joshua's success.
