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Anthony Joshua tragically lost two friends, his surroundings were always a source of strength

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Years ago, Anthony Joshua deflected criticism over a photo of 23 members of his inner circle in the locker room, doubling down to win his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.

Critics complained that the photo Joshua posted was evidence of someone holding him down, suggesting that some of his huge support system were there for their own gain.

His final defeat to Ruiz Jr. served as evidence to support this thesis – some assumed that fans would forget him once his unbeaten streak came to an end.

But that didn’t happen. This was never supposed to happen. Instead, the camaraderie around Joshua strengthened and inspired him to make up for the mistakes he made in his first fight with Ruiz Jr.

“Some of them weren’t on the payroll,” a friend of Joshua’s said at the time of the photo that sparked furor. Some of them were Matchroom employees. Some found time to come themselves. There was also his boxing team – trainers, physiotherapists, dieticians.

“Every organization has people behind the scenes. But there is a stigma from those around you or the fans.

“People who weren’t getting paid were there for love and support. Ask yourself: If your partner was a world champion and needed support, would you give it to him?”

Two of these colleagues tragically died on Monday in Nigeria in a car accident in which Joshua suffered minor injuries.

Sina Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach. Latif Ayodele aka “Latz” was a personal trainer.

The two were close friends, vacationing with Joshua after his fight with Jake Paul.

Shockingly, hours before their fatal accident, Joshua posted footage of himself and Ayodele playing table tennis on social media.

Both friends have been by Joshua’s side for years, almost from the beginning of his incredible career.

They were two of the many friends and confidants that Joshua says he is surrounded by.

Many of the people who are still by Joshua’s side were with him as he built his heavyweight career and climbed towards a world title.

It’s a testament to the true friendship in this circle that no one has ever been too tempted by fame, no one has ever used Joshua as a springboard to create their own brand. They have been a true band of brothers since Joshua was throwing professional punches.

The circle of friends has been strengthened by professionals occupying significant positions around Joshua, but even most of these faces have remained unchanged over the years. Loyalty isn’t just something Joshua preaches.

Joshua has previously holidayed in Nigeria with friends.

His parents are Nigerian, and as a teenage man he was briefly sent to school in the African country.

In 2019, after intense scrutiny of Ruiz Jr.’s upset. and his future in boxing, the place Joshua went for his soul searching was Nigeria. It was the first time he had returned to the country since he was a child.

He ventured into the slums of Makoko, a makeshift city built on stilts in the water and transported there by boat.

Joshua recalled his trip to Nigeria with emotion: “I could have won 10 titles, landed at Heathrow and no one was waiting for me except my mother and cousin.

– When did I land at the airport there?

The great heavyweight had to stop talking, caught up in the emotions of his roots.

Many years later, tragedy struck in Nigeria.

Talks about his next fight, either in February or with Tyson Fury in the summer, have rightly been shelved and will remain hidden for some time.

The boxing community – including heavyweights Joshua respects and those he calls rivals – gathered to honor the lives lost on Monday.

Joshua is always at the center of other heavyweights’ thoughts, but now it’s for a different reason – the boxer is in the background and his grieving friend takes priority.

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Peter Fury says Tyson needs someone who can deliver the attack before Joshua

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Image: Peter Fury Says Tyson Needs Someone Who Can Hit Back Before Joshua

Peter Fury believes that Tyson Fury should face a significant test if he decides to fight one more time before his planned clash with Anthony Joshua.

Fury returned to the ring earlier this year after spending all of 2025 in retirement. He outpointed Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds in April, and a long-awaited clash with Joshua is expected later this year.


As some fans questioned whether Fury should fight another fight before facing Joshua, Peter Fury said there would be little value in a gentle touch.

“Well, definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back, because a walk in the park won’t get you anywhere,” Peter Fury said in an interview with SPORT Boxing, discussing Tyson’s potential fleeting opponent.

“The only thing that’s going to come out of this is me walking around the ring and saying well, I’ve got to get in the ring again, that’s all.”

Peter didn’t mention any specific names, but he made it clear that he believes any opponent should be able to hold their own and force Fury to be on his guard for the fight with Joshua.

The former heavyweight champion is coming off a unanimous decision win over Makhmudov in his comeback fight and could return one more time before facing Joshua.

Joshua is also preparing to return to the ring. The two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 as he looks to build momentum towards a potential clash with Fury.

If Fury decides to fight early, Peter Fury’s view is elementary: there is no point in fighting an opponent who poses no challenge.

“A walk in the park gets you nowhere,” said Peter Fury. “Definitely someone who is hard-wearing and can hit back.”

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Last updated: 6/06/2026 at 2:19 am

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Anthony Joshua lists 5 heavyweight fighters he is targeting after the fight with Tyson Fury

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Anthony Joshua names the 5 heavyweights he’s targeting after facing Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua will return to action next month as he looks to revive his highly anticipated clash with Tyson Fury by knocking out Albania’s Kristian Prenga. If he is successful in both of these fights, Joshua has five opponents in mind for 2027.

Since his failed attempt to dethrone Daniel Dubois to become a three-time world heavyweight champion in September 2024, Joshua has only made one appearance; winning six rounds in a gimmick fight against YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.

Now, “AJ” returns to the chase ranks and looks to remind fight fans of his pedigree and strength, starting with a July “tune-up” against Prengi, who is expected to pose a minor threat before his November showdown with “The Gypsy King.”

I’m talking to Ring MagazineJoshua mentioned the five “gigantic fights” he is looking forward to after his feud with Fury ends.

“For me and Fury, he can’t be the one [left]because I know if I stay here long enough there will be a rematch with [Daniel] Dubois, there is a potential Fabio [Wardley] to fight is Agit [Kabayel] to fight there as long as he becomes champion, I like how gigantic that would be.

“Exists [Moses] Itauma’s fight as he nears the rankings is still there [Deontay] Wilder fight there. There will be massive fights.

“Fury is just another number and what I’m trying to say is that I don’t put him on a pedestal, he’s not above anyone, everyone stands in my way, everyone is on the same level. I don’t put him above anyone.”

The Joshua-Prenga event will take place on Saturday, July 25, with the novel fight location being Jeddah since the event date has been confirmed. despite earlier announcements that the gala would take place in Riyad.

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Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2. Date and venue booked in Las Vegas

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Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao face off in a promotional image featuring the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and Netflix branding ahead of a proposed September 25 rematch

After months of delays, silence and changing plans, the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 fight finally has a date and place booked.

Manny Pacquiao Promotions has placed the Sept. 25 date and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s official calendar for the proposed rematch, giving the long-talked-about event its most concrete development since Floyd Mayweather publicly stated the fight should be finalized within 48 hours.

Almost a month has passed since these comments and now fans can look forward to Friday night’s world-famous boxing event.

September 25

The stipulation represents another step forward in a fight that has spent most of 2026 waiting for what Pacquiao adviser Sean Gibbons previously described to WBN as “Floyd Time.”

Pacquiao’s team initially revealed plans for a Netflix-backed rematch before Mayweather finally confirmed the project while promoting his Mike Zambidis exhibition.

However, despite approving the concept, Mayweather has offered little publicly since then.

It’s worth noting that Mayweather’s promotions were not mentioned in the latest booking announcement.

T-Mobile Arena

The selection of T-Mobile Arena also marks a departure from the original 2015 competition, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

A quick check by World Boxing News of the T-Mobile Arena schedule currently shows no conflicting event scheduled for September 25.

That said, boxing fans have seen this story before.

While September 19 was previously linked to the rematch, the date was ultimately set by Hall of Fame rock band The Eagles.

I’m still waiting for Floyd

For now, the booking represents the clearest sign that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 remains on track.

Pacquiao’s team has continued to publicly push for the event, while Mayweather has largely avoided talks since confirming Netflix’s course of action.

Time will tell if Floyd decides to give this fight the same public support he will give Pacquiao’s team.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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