By Editor
Anthony Joshua has a “desire to continue” despite suffering a tragic car crash in Nigeria last month.
That is according to Oleksandr Usyk, who recently shared a conversation with the former two-time heavyweight world champion. Joshua was a passenger in the Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nigeria. The 36-year-old came away with minor injuries, but the incident claimed the lives of two of the boxer’s close friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Their funerals took place in London on January 4. Reports have emerged since that Joshua cheated death by swapping seats ahead of the journey. There are now questions over the Brit’s future – who was in Nigeria just days after his knockout win over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Earlier this month, the boxing star’s uncle claimed the heavyweight behemoth had informed his family he would retire following the crash. The Brit-Nigerian allegedly made the decision ‘known to his family in private,’ Mirror.co.uk reports. “The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally,” Adedamola Joshua told The Punch. Usyk, though, shares a different view after sharing a chat with ‘AJ.’
The 39-year-old – who famously beat Joshua twice in 2021 and 2022 – has formed a rather close bond with the Brit in recent times, and the Ukrainian has now revealed a conversation he had with the boxing legend. During a recent interview with Ready To Fight, he said, “I’ve already spoken with him.
“I heard a desire to continue in his voice — for the friends he lost and for the chance to live that the Lord gave him. Once, I spoke with the mother of my fallen comrade, and she told me, ‘Oleksandr, he would be very proud that you are continuing your work; he will watch you from heaven.’ And he, I think, does that. And not just him, but all my loved ones who passed away defending our country. They are my guardian angels who help me in the ring.”
Usyk has worked closely with Joshua over the past few months, following Joshua’s enlistment of the Ukrainian’s help ahead of his fight with Paul last month. The 39-year-old is expected to make his return to the ring later this year, having not fought since his knockout win over Daniel Dubois back in July.
Last week, pictures emerged of Joshua returning to the gym nearly three weeks after the incident in Nigeria. ‘AJ’ shared snaps of him working out and hitting pads in what he described as “mental strength therapy.” He was also seen pushing himself with some lower leg exercises as well as riding a stationary bike. Further footage showed the boxing star getting into a pool in a compilation of footage.
Other posts included a picture of what appeared to be the official time he had been on a cardio machine, along with the caption: “I am a fighter,” as well as a photo of him being punched by heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko during their historic showdown back in 2017 at Wembley Stadium.
The boxer’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, provided a recent update on his star client after the British fighter was spotted back in the gym, as he laced up the gloves again in Dubai. The promoter shared a post on Instagram. “Great to catch up with @anthonyjoshua today,” the Matchroom chief wrote.
“His resilience and strength are inspiring. The loss is heavy, and he will take his time to get back on track. But said he is truly grateful for all the support and the love shown for Latz and Sina.”
Mirror.co.uk.
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