Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has addressed the public for the first time following a devastating road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two people close to him.
The crash occurred on Monday, December 29, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
Two of Joshua’s friends and members of his team, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, died as a result of the incident. Joshua survived the accident with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
After receiving medical attention in Nigeria, the 36-year-old boxer was discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve.
He later returned to the United Kingdom on Saturday.
On Sunday, Joshua broke his silence via his social media platforms, sharing a photo taken with the families of the deceased. The image was accompanied by a brief but emotional caption: “My Brother’s Keeper.” The post signaled his solidarity with the grieving families as they prepared to lay Ghami and Ayodele to rest later the same day.
According to reports, the accident happened when the SUV carrying Joshua and three others struck a stationary truck after experiencing brake failure.
Joshua was said to have narrowly avoided more serious harm after changing seats shortly before the collision, reportedly because his height was obstructing the driver’s view.
The boxer sustained a leg fracture but remained in stable condition throughout and did not require emergency intervention beyond initial treatment.
Joshua had been in Nigeria on holiday following his recent knockout win over Jake Paul.
The tragedy has since cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory visit, with the former champion now focused on mourning the loss of his companions and supporting their families.