Two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua made his first public outing since the deaths of close friends Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele when he arrived at London’s O2 Arena to support Derek Chisora.
Joshua was a passenger in the fatal car crash in Nigeria on December 29 that claimed Ghami and Ayodele. He has kept a low profile in the months since, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn stressing that Joshua needs time to grieve and recover.
On Saturday, the champion joined Hearn at the arena for Chisora’s 50th birthday fight — and what was billed as possibly the London heavyweight’s final ring appearance — as Chisora faced Deontay Wilder. Dressed in a white tracksuit, Joshua stepped from a black people carrier and walked past camera crews appearing composed as he entered the venue.
Joshua and Chisora share roots at the Finchley amateur boxing club, and Joshua’s management now represents Chisora, strengthening their public association.
There was no visible exchange between Joshua and Wilder inside a narrow corridor at the O2; the American reportedly passed by without acknowledgement. Joshua’s most recent fight came before Christmas, when he stopped Jake Paul in Miami, and speculation about a future clash with Tyson Fury continues to circulate.