Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua has spoken openly for the first time following the tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends late last year.
The fatal crash occurred on December 29 near Lagos, resulting in the deaths of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both of whom were part of Joshua’s inner circle. After weeks of silence, the 36-year-old boxer addressed the tragedy in an emotional video message shared on his YouTube channel on Thursday.
Reflecting on the events leading up to the accident, Joshua revealed that the group had been full of optimism and plans as they prepared to close out 2025, only for everything to change suddenly after returning home to reunite with family.
He described the loss as deeply painful, noting that beyond the immediate families, many lives were affected by the passing of two men who played significant roles within their community and personal circles. Joshua admitted the experience has been extremely difficult but explained his decision to grieve privately in an era where emotions are often scrutinised.
Visibly emotional throughout the video, Joshua acknowledged that recording the message was not easy, revealing that it took several attempts to complete. He spoke candidly about the bond he shared with the late Ghami and Ayodele, describing them as brothers who stood by him and offered protection and support throughout his journey.
Despite the pain, Joshua expressed a sense of spiritual comfort, stating that he believes his fallen friends remain with him in spirit. He pledged to honour their memory by supporting their families and continuing the aspirations they shared while alive.
The British-Nigerian boxer also expressed gratitude to fans and well-wishers across the world for the overwhelming messages of support, saying the love shown has not gone unnoticed by him or the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Joshua’s long-time promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that the boxer will not be rushed back into action, stressing that Joshua is taking the necessary time to heal emotionally and physically following the devastating incident.
