Joshua says deaths of two team members have yet to "sink in"

Anthony Joshua said he is preparing for his first fight since the deaths of two close friends and team members, adding that he is not ready for the loss to "sink in yet". He made the remark as he prepared to return to the ring for that upcoming bout.

Joshua's comment underlined the personal toll the recent deaths have taken as he works towards the fight. The boxer confirmed the pair were both close friends and members of his team and said the impact remains immediate. He is approaching the match as his first outing following their deaths.

The fighter has kept his preparations on course while acknowledging the emotional weight of the situation. He described his current state plainly, saying he is not yet prepared for the reality of their loss to settle with him. That admission came amid the ongoing build-up to the contest.

Members of Joshua's camp have continued to support his training schedule in the run-up to the fight. While maintaining focus on the practical elements of preparation, Joshua has been open about the personal challenges he faces. The death of the two close friends and team members has been a central element of his recent public comments.

Joshua's statement made clear that grief remains a live issue for him as he readies himself to compete. He repeatedly emphasized that the emotional effects have not fully registered, using the phrase "sink in yet" to describe how he feels. Those words framed his account of balancing mourning with the demands of professional training.

The comments provide a candid glimpse of how Joshua is handling the aftermath while moving toward his return to the ring. He will carry the memory of the two close friends and team members into his first fight since their deaths, even as he continues to prepare physically and mentally for the bout.