Boxing Apr 29, 2026

Anthony Joshua makes first public appearance since close friends' deaths as he attends Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder fight in London

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Anthony Joshua makes first public appearance since close friends' deaths as he attends Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder fight in London

Anthony Joshua made his first public appearance since the deaths of close friends Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele as he arrived at O2 Arena to support Derek Chisora.

Two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua was a passenger in a fatal car crash in Nigeria on December 29, which killed Ghami and Ayodele.

Joshua has kept a low profile in recent months and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has reiterated 'AJ' needs time to heal, but the duo were together on Saturday for Chisora's 50th and possibly final fight of his career as he took on Deontay Wilder in London.

Dressed in a white tracksuit, Joshua emerged with Hearn from a black people carrier and cut a calm figure as he walked into the arena past a number of camera crews.

Chisora and Joshua both came from the same Finchley amateur boxing club and Joshua's management company also now represents Chisora.

There was no friendly welcome from old rival Wilder, who was repeatedly linked with a world title bout with Joshua during the peak of their powers.

The American went straight past the London heavyweight without any acknowledgement in a tight corridor inside the O2.

Joshua last fought before Christmas when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, but speculation continues over a potential bout with Tyson Fury.

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions sign Mayelli Flores after undisputed classic with Ellie Scotney and Irma Garcia

Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions sign Mayelli Flores after undisputed classic with Ellie Scotney and Irma Garcia

After her thrilling undisputed championship clash with Ellie Scotney, Mayelli Flores has signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).Irma G...

Dalton Smith ruled out of WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello after suffering injury in training camp

Dalton Smith ruled out of WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello after suffering injury in training camp

Dalton Smith has been ruled out of his WBC super-lightweight title defence against Alberto Puello after he sustained an injury in camp.The fight was s...

Justis Huni expects to have future Moses Itauma fight 'somewhere along the line' | '100 per cent we're going to meet'

Justis Huni expects to have future Moses Itauma fight 'somewhere along the line' | '100 per cent we're going to meet'

Moses Itauma has the date and venue for his next fight – July 25 at the O2 Arena in London – but is waiting for his opponent to be confirmed.Justis Hu...

Denzel Bentley calls for WBO to elevate him to full world champion with Zhanibek Alimkhanuly currently suspended

Denzel Bentley calls for WBO to elevate him to full world champion with Zhanibek Alimkhanuly currently suspended

Denzel Bentley has called on the WBO to elevate him to full world championship status.The Londoner won the WBO Interim middleweight title with a stopp...

Lennox Lewis: 'Great' champion Oleksandr Usyk is a worthy successor - 'He's done it all. He's sacrificed'

Lennox Lewis: 'Great' champion Oleksandr Usyk is a worthy successor - 'He's done it all. He's sacrificed'

Lennox Lewis sees Oleksandr Usyk as a worthy successor as a "great" heavyweight world champion.Usyk became the first undisputed world heavyweight cham...

Anthony Joshua will return to boxing in a comeback fight on July 25 in Riyadh ahead of showdown with Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua will return to boxing in a comeback fight on July 25 in Riyadh ahead of showdown with Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua will return to boxing in a comeback bout on July 25 in Saudi Arabia.The former unified world champion will fight Kristian Prenga in Riy...