Anthony Joshua has revealed he could continue boxing until the age of 40 despite enduring one of the most painful periods of his life following the deaths of two close friends.
The former two-time heavyweight world champion has opened up on his future in the sport while continuing to come to terms with the tragic loss of Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, who died in a horrific car crash in Nigeria last year.
Joshua, who was involved in the accident himself, escaped with rib injuries but was left devastated by the deaths of two men he considered brothers.
Despite the trauma, the 36-year-old insists retirement is not on the horizon and believes boxing remains a crucial part of his life.
Speaking about his future plans, Joshua admitted he can see himself remaining active in the ring for another three years.
"I think I might go on until 40," he said.
"I am 37 in October, so it's only three years, it goes quick.
"Obviously it's going to be tough, but I definitely think I'm tough enough to do it."
The revelation comes after Joshua signed a two-fight agreement that will see him return to action against Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia on July 25.
A long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury is also being targeted before the end of the year should both fighters come through their respective commitments.
While Joshua remains fully committed to his boxing career, he admitted the loss of Ghami and Ayodele has changed his outlook.
"It's not about being 'more' anything, it's different," Joshua explained.
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"But I am just there for their parents. That's No 1 for me, just being a good soldier for them and looking after the boys' parents."
The heavyweight star said his priority has been supporting the families left behind rather than focusing on his own grief.
"Everyone is different," he said.
"For me, I have to put my emotions to one side and focus on the parents.
"My emotions can come at a later stage.
"So I don't make it about me. I make it about them and the mums and dads of the two boys."
Joshua was recently present at York Hall alongside the mothers of both men as members of the boxing community gathered to celebrate their lives.
The Olympic gold medallist said he was moved by the support shown by fighters who had known the pair.
"The boys were loved and there's a few of us boxers who knew Latz and Sina," he said.
"It's all love and that's really good to see from my perspective."
Joshua also revealed boxing continues to provide an important sense of direction as he navigates the aftermath of the tragedy.
"This is my purpose," he said.
"Boxing is not only good for the competition. It's quite therapeutic.
"It gives us purpose and us fighters need purpose and that's what it does for me.
"I think, I KNOW, that this is the place where I'm most comfortable."
Joshua has already begun intensifying preparations for his return and says he is in a strong place physically and mentally ahead of one of the biggest years of his career.
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