Topics: Anthony Joshua
A heartbreaking video of Anthony Joshua has resurfaced after he was involved in a heartbreaking crash which claimed the lives of two of his close friends.
On Monday, reports emerged that the 36-year-old had been involved in a crash crash back in Nigeria, where he has family roots.
Joshua was one of four passengers in a Lexus Jeep which collided with a stationary truck by the side of the road in Makun, Ogun State, on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The Federal Road Safety Corps said the car was travelling "beyond the legally prescribed speed limit" and lost control during "an overtaking manoeuvre".
Advert
Following eye-witness accounts, an image emerged online of Joshua in the backseat surrounded by glass.
Local media reporting that Joshua was "rescued alive and sustained minor injuries" - with the the Ogun State government later issuing a statement where they said the two-time heavyweight champion travelled to hospital for treatment and is 'stable'.
However, authorities confirmed two adult males had been killed in the crash and they were later named as Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, Joshua's friends and members of his team.
Both had been part of his preparations for his bout with Jake Paul in Miami, where Joshua produced a sixth round knockout in a fight watched by 33 million viewers globally on Netflix.
After the tragic news, an old Joshua interview with IFL TV was re-shared by founder and friend Kugan Cassius - with the caption, "AJ is a real one".
In the clip, Joshua said spoke about life being short and urged everyone to live it to its full.
He said: "Whatever you're doing in your lives, we're all gonna die one day so don't get too caught up in the bulls*** and the hype. Live your life while you're here because you never know what's around the corner... heart attacks, disease, wars. Life can just hit you like that so try and enjoy it every day and don't get too caught up in the bulls***."
Prior to the crash, Joshua had shared a video of him playing table tennis with personal trainer Latif. Sina, the other casualty in the accident, had posted a picture of a jeep vehicle on the road and tagged Lagos, Nigeria, as his location.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president of Nigeria, had a phone call with Joshua where he offered his condolences to the Brit over "the passing of his two close associates".
The two prayed together and the president then had a call with Joshua's mother, who hails from Nigeria.
On Monday evening, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn gave an update on Joshua and said it is "with profound sadness it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away".
On behalf of Matchroom and 258 BXG, he also offered his "deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected" and asked that "privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time".
Joshua is yet to comment directly on the tragic accident.
