Anthony Joshua Pays Tribute to Friends Killed in Car Crash During First Video Statement
Anthony Joshua has spoken out about the fatal car crash that killed two of his friends in an emotional video tribute.
On December 29, Joshua sustained minor injuries when the Lexus SUV he was travelling in collided with a stationary truck near Lagos, Nigeria.
The crash tragically claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, two of Joshua's team members and closest friends.
Since then, the former two-time heavyweight boxing champion has mostly remained out of the public eye, no doubt taking the time needed to grieve after such a tragic and traumatic event.
Advert
And now, Joshua has decided to speak out in a lengthy video statement paying tribute to his friends.
Taking to his social media accounts, Joshua thanked those that had sent over words of encouragement.
He said: "The last time I spoke to you guys was in Miami, we had so many plans to wrap up 2025. We went home, to see our families and everything go flipped on it's head.
"That was such an unforeseen circumstance that was out of all of our control. And not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself, lose two great men.
"We lost people that we really care about have been major players in all of our lives, major, major players in all of our lives. It's tough. It's really tough.
"I'm not gonna sit here and show all of my emotions. I know in today's day and age, it's easy to analyse people, pass judgment, but I know what I thought, and I know how I feel."
Joshua added: "I know what my duty is. They were my brothers, my friends, first and foremost. Then we became business partners, we became hustlers, we became generals, we became everything. We became housemates, who were living together.
"You know, I've lost people before, but I don't think I've lost people throughout this journey that I've been on. It's like you think I'm the big guy but I was walking with giants. Protected."
The Olympian then promised that he will be help support the families of both of his friends, before reaffirming his thanks to fans for the love they have shown both him and the families of Ghami and Ayodele.
"My goal is to help their families and to help them achieve their goals, even though they may not be here in the physical. I will be saying my prayers, and I'm going to help them fulfil their dreams for their families," Joshua vowed.
"I'm gonna do what's right by their family. It's about what's important to me, and they're very important players, very important team, with very important friends and two of my brothers.
"So yeah, I don't think I've mentioned the love and appreciation. It's all acknowledged by me, by them, by their families. 100 per cent we acknowledge the 1000s, maybe going into millions around the world that show so much love to them both. I still can't get my head around it.
"We heard you all, we saw the messages, the tweets, the social media, the YouTubes, the prayers, it's all been acknowledged."
Following the crash, Ghami and Ayodele's bodies were later returned to the UK ahead of a a joint funeral service held at a mosque in London on January 4.
As it stands, it is understandably unclear when, or if, Joshua plans to return to the boxing ring, with his latest fight being the knockout victory over Jake Paul in December.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing
Ben McCrum