Anthony Joshua has spoken publicly for the first time following a tragic road accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends and members of his team.
The former heavyweight world champion, who sustained minor injuries in the crash, has since been discharged from hospital and returned to the United Kingdom.
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The incident occurred on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria.
Joshua was travelling in an SUV with four other passengers when the vehicle reportedly suffered a tyre burst and collided with a stationary lorry.
Two of Joshua’s close friends and fitness coaches, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, were killed in the crash.
On Sunday, the 36-year-old boxer broke his silence by sharing photographs on Instagram showing himself with the bereaved family members of the deceased.
He accompanied the post with the caption: “My Brother’s Keeper,” a brief but emotional message reflecting his grief and solidarity with the families.
The tragedy came less than two weeks after Joshua’s return to the ring, where he secured a sixth-round knockout victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, Florida.
The win marked a return to winning ways following his defeat to Daniel Dubois in 2024 and reignited discussions about a potential long-awaited bout with Tyson Fury.
Earlier in the week, Joshua’s spokesperson released an official statement confirming the deaths of Ayodele and Ghami. The statement described both men as “close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team” and appealed for privacy for the families as they mourned their loss.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, also confirmed the incident, stating that the boxer was taken to hospital for checks and treatment after sustaining injuries in the crash.
They added that he was in a stable condition and later discharged after medical assessments.
The Ogun State Government provided further details, confirming that Joshua and another passenger were evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.
According to the authorities, doctors carried out comprehensive clinical assessments and confirmed that both patients were stable and did not require emergency medical intervention.
While investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing, tributes have continued to pour in for Ayodele and Ghami, who were widely regarded as key figures behind Joshua’s career and personal life.
Joshua’s return to the UK marks the beginning of a period of mourning and recovery for the boxer, who has asked for privacy as he and the affected families continue to come to terms with the devastating loss.
