'I never considered walking away': ANTHONY JOSHUA opens up on his return to boxing in wake of car crash tragedy that killed two of his best friends - and reveals how the power of prayer spurred him on

Anthony Joshua returned to the boxing ring on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, facing Kristian Prenga in what marks the start of a new phase in his career. The 36-year-old British heavyweight champion, who had previously faced the emotional challenge of losing two close friends in a tragic car accident near Lagos, Nigeria, revealed during a recent interview that he never contemplated stepping away from the sport. The incident occurred late last year and claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele, both aged 36. They were longtime companions of Joshua, with Ghami acting as his strength coach and Ayodele as his personal trainer. Their deaths left the boxing community in shock and forced Joshua to grapple with profound grief, a burden he described as surpassing any loss he had encountered in the ring. Despite this devastating personal loss, Joshua expressed a clear determination to continue his journey in boxing. He stated that the sport holds deep significance for him, not merely as a profession but as a vital part of his identity. “Boxing is my purpose,” he explained. “It’s not just about competing. Boxing is therapeutic as well. It gives me purpose.” Joshua emphasized that the act of fighting provides him with clarity and comfort, reinforcing his belief that he belongs in the ring. “When I’m boxing, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. It’s where I’m most comfortable. It gives me direction in life, and that’s why I never really thought about walking away. I’m content. This is where I belong.” In reflecting on the emotional toll of the tragedy, Joshua acknowledged the difficulty of coping with such a profound loss. However, he chose to redirect his focus toward supporting the families of his fallen friends. “Everyone deals with it differently,” he said. “For me, I have to put my own emotions to one side because I focus on the parents. My emotions can come later, but I look at what the mums and dads are going through because that’s what must be hardest. I don’t make it about me. I make it about them.” Joshua’s resilience has also found support in his training under Oleksandr Usyk, the former undisputed heavyweight champion. His transition to Usyk’s team has brought about notable changes in his approach to the sport. While the technical aspects of his game have improved, Joshua highlighted a deeper transformation in his mindset regarding dedication and effort. “The biggest thing is my relationship with hard work,” he noted. “You can be in one environment and think you’re working hard, then you go into another environment and realize what you thought was hard actually isn’t hard enough. It isn’t good enough.” This shift in perspective has influenced not only his performance but also his mental state. Joshua credits the emphasis on discipline and perseverance as crucial elements in his ongoing recovery and professional growth. As he prepares for future challenges, including potential matchups with top-tier opponents, his commitment to the sport remains unwavering.