Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has spoken about the painful loss of two of his close friends who died in a road accident along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway.
Joshua shared the emotional account during a conversation with former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, in a video posted on Usman’s YouTube channel.
The discussion took place while the boxer was still receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the crash and days before an MMA event held in Lagos on December 30.
The accident occurred on December 29 and claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. The victims were travelling with Joshua in a black Lexus jeep when the crash happened.
Joshua survived the incident and was rescued from the wreckage before being taken to Duchess International Hospital, where he received medical care.
In the video, the boxer was seen inside a treatment room with bandages on his head and upper body.
Speaking on the incident, Joshua said the reality of losing his friends was yet to fully register.
“One was in the front and one was behind him, on the right side. They both passed away. It still hasn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t hit me yet,” he said while responding to Usman’s question about where the victims were seated.
Reacting, Usman expressed sympathy and concern over the incident, saying, “I’m sorry for that, man. You scared the world, I’ll tell you that right now.”
Reflecting further on the tragedy, Joshua described life as fragile and unpredictable. “Life is short, man, life is short. And now, look, I get to speak with you for the first time,” he added.
Usman thanked God for Joshua’s survival and noted that the incident drew global concern from fans and well wishers across the world.
After his discharge from the hospital, Joshua returned to the United Kingdom. On Sunday, he broke his silence on social media, sharing a photograph of himself with the families of the deceased.
He captioned the post, “My Brother’s Keeper,” as he stood in solidarity with them during their moment of grief.
