Anthony Joshua arrived at the O2 Arena to support Derek Chisora, making his first public appearance since the deaths of close friends Sheena Ghami and Latif ‘Rats’ Ayodele.
Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, was a passenger in a fatal traffic accident in Nigeria on December 29 that killed Gami and Ayodele.
Joshua has kept a low profile in recent months, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn repeating that “AJ needs time to recover”, but on Saturday the pair met in London for Chisora’s 50th fight, and likely the last of his career, against Deontay Wilder.
Wearing a white jersey, Joshua emerged from a black transport vehicle with Hearn and appeared calm as he entered the arena past a throng of photographers.
Chisora and Joshua both come from the same Finchley Amateur Boxing Club and Joshua’s management company also currently represents Chisora.
There was no friendly reception from arch-rival Wilder, who had been rumored to have a world title fight with Joshua many times during his heyday.
The American walked past the London heavyweight without checking him in the narrow passageway inside the O2.
Joshua last fought before Christmas, when he stopped YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, but speculation continues over a potential fight with Tyson Fury.
