British boxing star Anthony Joshua has paid an emotional tribute to two close friends who died in a car crash in Nigeria, describing the past weeks as a “tragic, traumatic time.”
In a video shared on social media, the former world heavyweight champion said he was sitting in the back of a vehicle that collided with a stationary truck in Lagos in December. The crash killed Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, while Joshua, who also holds Nigerian nationality, suffered only minor injuries.
Joshua had been on holiday with his friends following his knockout win over US YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on 19 December.
The 36-year-old described the two men as his brothers “my left and my right” and spoke of the profound loss felt by their families and friends.
“Not only did their parents, their uncles, their cousins, their friends and myself lose two great men, we lost people we dearly care about who were major parts of our lives,” he said.
Ghami, a strength and conditioning coach, had worked with Joshua for more than a decade, while Ayodele was an old friend and personal trainer.
Joshua also thanked supporters around the world for their messages of sympathy. “We saw the messages, the tweets, the social media, the YouTubes, the prayers it’s all been acknowledged,” he said.
While he offered few details about his future in boxing, Joshua added that “the mission must go on.” Earlier this month, he posted footage of himself back in the gym, describing pad work with his trainer as “mental strength therapy.”
The driver of the vehicle, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, appeared in a Nigerian court earlier this month and has been charged with several offences, including dangerous driving causing death. The case was adjourned to 25 February at the request of prosecutors.
