Anthony Joshua had to bravely hold back his tears in the ring following his knockout victory over Kristian Prenga on an emotional 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 training team and their deaths impacted him heavily.
Return to the Ring
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, he made an inspiring recovery and was soon back in action, setting his sights on confirming his all-British clash with Tyson Fury.
Joshua knocked out Prenga towards the end of the second round with a devastating left hand. He had been floored in the opening seconds by Prenga but managed to recover, though he was knocked down again before making it to the second round.
Emotional Tribute
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."
Promoter's Praise
While much of the post-fight discussion centred on Fury, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn commended his star fighter's resilience. "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."
