Anthony Joshua Pledges Support for Families of Late Friends Lost in Nigeria Crash

In a heartfelt display of solidarity, British-Nigerian boxing star Anthony Joshua has vowed to stand by the families of his two late friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Nigeria. As Joshua prepares to face Albanian boxer Kristian Prenga in Jeddah on July 25, he expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of his friends and teammates. Speaking ahead of the bout, Joshua stated, 'I have to put my emotions to the side because I focus on the parents, if I'm honest.' He emphasized that his primary concern is to support the parents of Ghami and Ayodele, acknowledging that they have been affected the most by the tragedy. Joshua vowed to be a 'good soldier' for the families, providing them with financial and emotional support during this difficult time. The former heavyweight world champion believes that his purpose extends beyond the competitive aspect of boxing, as it also serves as a therapeutic outlet and gives him a sense of direction. As he navigates his grief, Joshua remains committed to honoring the memory of his friends by being there for their families. 'My emotions can come at a later stage. I really look at the parents and understand it's been most difficult for them. So, I don't make it about me, I make it about them — the mums and the dads of my two friends,' Joshua said, highlighting his selfless approach to coping with the loss. 'Everyone does it differently, but for me that’s the best way of handling the situation. It’s not about me, it’s bigger than me. I’m just there for their parents. It’s about being a good soldier for them because I’ve got to look after them. This is my purpose. Boxing is not only good for the competitive side of things, but it’s also quite therapeutic; it gives us fighters a lot of purpose, and that’s what it does for me,' Joshua added, underscoring the significance of his role as a support system for the families.